Today one of the most anticipated movies was released: The Vow. As if that didn’t get all the teenage girls hyped up Breaking Dawn Part 1 was released on DVD today as well.

The Vow starts two of the biggest stars of today: Channing Tatum (Step Up, She’s the Man, G.I. Joe, Dear John) and Rachel McAdams (Mean Girls, The Notebook). Tatum (Leo)  and McAdams (Paige) star as a young newlywed couple. The couple gets in a car accident that leaves Paige with memory loss. She forgets all about their marriage and her husband. Leo dedicates himself to winning Paige back and helping her remember and get back everything they had. The Vow is based on the true story of Kim and Krickitt Carpenter. It is rated PG-13.

For movie times and theaters click here.

For all the music lovers out there, this weekend holds some unique opportunities.

Tonight, Feb. 10, the Rock and Worship Road Show is back in Dallas. Held at the American Airlines center, this is a Christian concert and will be featuring MercyMe, Tenth Avenue North, Lecrae, Diciple, Hawk Nelson, Sidewalk Prophets and The Rend Collective Experience. Other activities include a message from Bart Millard (lead singer of MercyMe), a tour merchandise table and even a chance to win door prizes. This concert kicks off at 7:30 PM and tickets cost $10 at the door. For more information, click here.

Tomorrow, Feb. 11, country singer Luke Bryan will be preforming at Billy Bob’s Texas in the Fort Worth Stockyards. Although this show is unfortunately sold out, it starts at 10:30 PM and will be a really good time where he will be preforming songs from his recent album including “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)” and “Don’t Want This Night To End”.

With the current sophomore class rank and grade point average revealed, students are anxious to begin applying to the National Honor Society at Coppell High School. The applications are due on Friday March 9 giving students ample amount of time to create their resumes and gather recommendations.

If students have a GPA of 4.80 or higher, they have the opportunity to apply for membership in the organization. The application consists of three parts, which include a cover letter written by the student, a resume and two letters of recommendation. Kevin Casey, NHS sponsor, notes in the application that it is very important to follow all directions precisely and also turn in the application on time because no late applications will be accepted.

Students will know if they have been accepted into NHS on March 23. Questions regarding membership or the application can be addressed to Mr. Casey in room B214.

Staff Writer

Next week on Friday, Feb. 17, Junior World Affairs Council (JWAC) will be hosting their annual, Heritage Night. At this event many countries will be displayed such as India, Pakistan, Nigeria, etc along with their cultural  food and drinks. In addition, there will be some awesome Bollywood and African dance performances.

During this event, the JWAC  club shirts will be sold for $10 for short sleeves and $15 for long sleeves. Also at the event, the winners for the best tri-board display for their country will be announced.

Do not miss this annual event that is very popular amongst CHS Students.

Last night, the Coppell High School Varsity boys basketball team played Keller Central. The game came down to the final seconds, but the Cowboys came up short 41-43.

If you did not get the opportunity to make it to a game during the week, other  Varsity athletic match ups this weekend include:

Boys’ Basketball
2/10 – District Game against Saginaw
7:30 p.m. @ Saginaw High School

Girls’ Softball
2/10 –  Game against Grapevine
7:00 p.m. @ Coppell ISD Baseball/ Softball Complex

Boys’ Baseball
2/11 – Scrimmage against Birdville
11:00 a.m. @ Coppell ISD Baseball/ Softball Complex

Girls’ Soccer
2/10 –  District Game against Southlake Carroll
7:30 p.m. @ Buddy Echols Field

Boys’ Soccer
2/10 –  District Game against Southlake Carroll
7:30 p.m. @ Southlake Carroll

Today, February 7th marks the first of the three day long 8th grade shadow days.

For the next couple of days all three middle schools will be visiting the high school for a tour around the school. Not only will they get a complete tour, the middle school students will also get a chance to visit some of the elective and academy classes on the visit. Red Jackets and Ready. Set. Teach! members will be conducting the tours throughout the day in two sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The seniors will also have a Q and A session at the conclusion of the tour because we all know the 8th graders will have questions.

Not only is this a great opportunity for the 8th graders to be able to see the high school first hand on a normal operating school day, this is also a unique experience for seniors leading the tours. As a Red Jacket I will be leading a tour of West 8th graders tomorrow afternoon and I took a chance to reflect on what my biggest questions were when I was on this very tour back five years ago.

These are just a few of the questions I came up with that I thought I might have to answer. Will I survive the landing when getting thrown off the senior bridge? Does anyone have a map of this enormous school? Why are these large humans you call seniors looking at me like I’m fresh meat in a lions den?

Dont worry 8th graders, all of these questions and more will be answered at the conclusion of the tour but as of tomorrow, stay close behind me because I don’t you getting trampled.

Getting to school on time is hard enough for teen drivers who have to battle the roads in order to make it in time for the bell; unfortunately, the usually trek to school is going to meet a new challenge.

One of the busiest roads in Coppell, Belt Line Road, will have its southbound lane north of the Dividend will be closed due to street repairs.

The past couple of days have presented continuous construction delays and  inconveniences for citizens; especially during the heavy traffic time, before school. It has been a challenge for students to work around construction, but thankfully, the worst is over and the road is to be finished by the morning of Feb. 8.

There is still one more day left of construction, and the city of Coppell is urging its citizens to be more aware of the traffic signs and take safety precautions when driving in the morning. It’s better to be late to class then to be injured.

We may be ID numbered students, but beyond that registered ID number is a person, with a name, who gets stressed out, who needs to not just look at school and take care of themselves.

If you get stressed, I feel yah. Some days it feels like there is no room to breathe. Some students take stress a little easier while some may feel like they’re ready to pass out.

I’m going to give you my top ten stress relievers that may help you.

Write everything down

Make a list of the tasks you need to complete in order to turn everything in on time. Make a chart and go by class period. This will do wonders.

Take control of your environment

Sometimes when a student is stressed out, sitting at certain lunch tables can hinder their chances of feeling better. Watch who you sit next to in both the classroom and the lunchroom.

Get assertive

I have seen too many people avoid approaching the teacher for a bad grade or don’t make that effort to talk to sources who could help in any situation. This could have to do with grades, social issues, or even on the topic of stress. Don’t be afraid to talk to your teachers.

Rethink your attitude

Chances are you aren’t going to die from either your stress or the task at hand. Think “I can” and “possible.”

Exercise regularly

It may feel pretty bad at first, but when you get used to it, your body will feel stronger, and you will have more energy to get things done. Just this factor alone has reduced stress in a lot of people. This can also help prevent depression.

Sleep

With this comes time management. If you haven’t been and the room is getting dizzy then this isn’t a good sign. Dare I say it, General health> School

Accept your weaknesses

It’s okay that you aren’t Einstein. Each of us have our own talents and weaknesses. Just be sure that you don’t get hard on yourself for something you cannot control. Accept the weaknesses, and when you do be sure to talk to your teachers about it for how you could improve.

Let up on the caffeine

Just do this and drink more water. If you are going to have caffeine, green tea is very good for stress. So are nuts and fish.

Cry when you need to

It sounds bad, but this is the way our body functions. When you feel like you need to cry because of stress, by all means do it. You will feel better.

Seriously, just calm down

You think you know what I mean, but maybe not. I’m referring to the rushing/running brigade that I bump into in the hallways. Just the halls stressed a student normally incapable of stressing out. Relax, and if you shove someone, please turn around and say sorry or excuse me.

For more information visit these sites:

http://www.focusas.com/Stress.html

http://www.pamf.org/teen/life/stress/7stresstips.html

I don’t know about you CHS but with all of these academics, who has time to work out? I have devised a plan that might save your muscle strength. I call it spontaneous work outs. You can do this at home while you’re running around to get out your homework done or on your way to class.

Movement  one:

Wall sits

Test your leg muscle ability and sit in a pretend chair against the wall. Don’t cheat and sit in a slightly slanted chair.

Movement two:

Lunges

This movement is for your knees and upper legs. Extend one leg far out while keeping the other leg slightly bent, move downward and come back up.

Movement three:

Knee/elbow touches

Bring your left knee up to touch your right elbow, then switch. Do this repeatedly. You can do this and be mobile.

Movement four:

Squats

Keep your feet shoulder length apart and bend your knees to lower yourself close to the ground. Then come back up.

Movement five:

Dancing

Dance to the songs that play in the school hallways or to a pretend beat. Include motions in both arms and legs for more of an effect.

Do these and you might be thankful later that you did. Working out is indeed excellent.

On Tuesday of this week I was able to do something really cool: I got to go to an early preview of the new Daniel Radcliffe movie The Woman in Black (Thanks Wren!). The movie will be released to the public tomorrow, Friday February 3.

In the film, Daniel Radcliffe plays the role of Arthur Kipps, a struggling lawyer with a young son to raise. He is offered one last chance to prove himself to his law firm and he is sent to settle the legal affairs of a woman who just recently passed away, Alice Drablow. He goes to her house to sort through all her paper work and he discovers that there is more to the little village than what meets the eye. Kipps learns of the town’s haunted past and present and when his own son is placed in danger he is forced to take drastic measures to save what is nearest and dearest to him.

The film stars Daniel Radcliffe, Ciaran Hinds, Janet McTeer, Sophie Stuckey, Liz White, and Alisa Khansanova and is rated PG-13. It is a Horror/Thriller/Sci-fi film and is an adaption of a novel of the same name by Susan Hill.

A review of the film will be up soon. To find movie times and theaters click here.