Staff Writer

CHS is full of diversity consisting many different  religions, cultures  and ethnicities. With many new clubs arising such as the Bollywood Dance Club, which meets every Wednesday in the commons, students now have the opportunity to learn more about different cultures that seem unheard in the crazy halls of CHS.

In addition,  the well known Junior World Affairs Council (JWAC club) is all about learning about cultures and are currently preparing their annual Heritage Night which is always a huge success. Both these clubs are opened to any race or ethnicity willing to learn more about all the different cultures surrounding us every day.

Former Secretary of State under the George W. Bush administration Condoleezza Rice traveled to Fort Worth on Wednesday to speak to influential council members and students regarding her time in office and the release of her new book, No Higher Honor: A Memoir of My Years in Washington.

Present at the event were media students from Coppell High School, along with Junior World Affairs Council (JWAC) members from Arlington Martin High School and influential members of the region. Hosted by the World Affairs Council of Dallas and Fort Worth (DFWWAC), the event was an opportunity for residents to meet and have questions answered by Rice.

After an introduction by Fort Worth mayor Betsy Price, in which Rice was referred to as “the most accomplished woman in America,” Rice discussed what led her to writing her memoir, her personal accomplishments and her current stance on issues of foreign policy.

After her speech, the 10-time doctorate recipient opened up the room for questions and addressed topics including Texas senator John Cornyn’s stance on Taiwanese negotiations, relations with Latin America and the impact of the Bush Administration on the United States.

“I’ve been to a few of these events, and I think they open our eyes to who these people really are,” Martin High School JWAC President Heather Salah said. “We know what the press says about these people, and we know what others assume; but getting to listen to them actually speak is great. It gives us experience in dealing with public figures and people in politics. It’s cool, I mean these are the people running our country.”

After the speech and catered breakfast, guests were given the opportunity to purchase No Higher Honor and have their copies signed by Rice.

KCBY members Liz Meyer and Madeline Daily record former Secretary of State speaking at the DFW World Affairs Council event on Nov. 9.

“These events are great for students because they really make history through political interaction for a student,” DFWWAC program coordinator Chelsea Marshall said. “I mean, how often to you get to meet a Secretary of State? It makes everything in history books seem more alive.”

KCBY seniors Liz Meyer and Madeline Daily covered the event for an upcoming segment and agreed that the program was an excellent learning opportunity.

“I actually really enjoyed listening to her speak,” Daily said. “I’m not big into politics but a lot of things she said I found interesting. I really liked the short talk she gave about how democracy and freedom weren’t necessarily the same thing – it was eye opening.”

By the end of the breakfast, participants knew much about both Rice as a politician in her various positions and her individual views on many of today’s problems.

When an audience member stood up and questioned the changes in her foreign policy stances since her work in the Bush administration, she responded with the following:

“One thing that I’ve heard said over and over about countries such as Afghanistan is this: ‘They aren’t ready for democracy.’ I now deeply resent people who say that. How patronizing to deny basic human rights. Those values are universal.”

Staff Writer

An alarm sounds off at 7 a.m. A senior hurries out of bed. He packs his tennis racket and Red Jacket, books and bags. And after changing into his scrubs, he frantically rushes to the hospital to begin his school day, just another typical one following his hectic schedule.

Varsity tennis player, Red Jacket, Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) vice president, Junior Worlds Affair Council (JWAC) member. He’s strange. He’s outgoing. He’s smart—not to mention—well-rounded. He may have well knocked you over with a notebook in hand if you’ve ever met him in the halls. Or, you may have seen him as the emcee on Heritage Day. He’s senior Drew Hasson.

Following his regular scrambles in the morning, Hasson volunteers at Baylor Medical Center at Grapevine during his Health Science Technology II block. There, he engages in observing surgeries—his most memorable, an open heart one—and assisting patients, and at 9:30, he scurries back to school in a blue-grey Toyota Scion—you may better know it as the “box car.” Hasson is now out of his scrubs and in what he considers school clothes.

“When I’m in the car, my windows are all the way down all the time,” Hasson said. “I also crazy dance in the car. It’s embarrassing because I look around, and people are just staring. One time, I pulled up next to [Biology teacher Jennifer Martin]; I glance over, and there she is and all I can do is slightly wave.”

His rigorous midday classes are quite demanding: AP Statistics, AP Spanish Literature, AP Art History, and AP English IV.

By seventh period, Hasson is in a rush yet again, but this time, the destination: tennis center.

“I play mixed doubles because it’s twice the fun, but half the running,” Hasson said. “Tennis is like my home base because I have been on the team all four years.”

 After changing into tennis attire, playing and sweating for an hour, the senior redresses to attend a HOSA club meeting.

“The events associated with HOSA are very demanding,” Hasson said. “There are a handful of things [including but not limited to] annual events, including the White Rock Marathon in December and Relay for Life in May, and competitions that require much attention. As an officer, I usually attend every expo as both a Red Jacket and HOSA member to promote both the club and the health program. The officer meetings every other Wednesday in addition to the HOSA meetings [once a month] requires dedication.”

The full circle is drawn when Drew returns home, prepares to watch MTV and complete a rather large pile of homework.

“I love watching “Next” and “Rock of Love” on VH1 is a classic,” Hasson said. “The homework comes after this small dose of TV. While I study, I always play music—there are even times when my parents catch me dancing. Procrastination isn’t the best way to do it; it never is. With me, I am very slow, a slow reader, a slow writer, slow at most tasks. Anyways, there is nothing weighing over you, if the homework is finished first. If it isn’t done, you’re half-guilty the entire time.”

Two hours later, Hasson is out the house in a red blazer and slacks. His assignment: to prepare an event hosted by the CHS Red Jackets.

The clock reads 11:30 p.m. By then, Hasson is sound asleep. Good night, world.

“I am immeasurably blessed to attend a school like CHS,” Hasson said. “You have to take advantage of these amazing opportunities that the school provides, and the idea that you only go through it once is a big motivator. It’s hard to balance fun and [school work], but you have to find the happy medium. In high school, you’re basically investing in your future.”

However, in just four months, Hasson will be required to adjust his traditional agenda when he attends the University of Pennsylvania in the fall. He plans to major in Biological Basis of Behavior, a neuroscience major that explores the relationship between behavior and its organic bases, or Visual Studies and minor in Urban Education, all of which reflect his interests and the classes he enrolled in during his high school career.

“It was either that [UPenn] or UT,” Hasson said. “But, there are so many opportunities at UPenn, and the diversity of the students and experiences available are amazing. When I found out that I was accepted, I was really shocked because I wasn’t really expecting it. There’s nothing really special about me which proves that normal kids can get into top tier schools. But, I’m horrified about going there grade-wise.”

Although Hasson will adapt to life as a college student at UPenn in a few weeks, give or take, CHS may not make the transition quite as easily because simply put, his incredible impact on CHS will be unforgettable.

“Drew’s energy is just contagious,” Pre-calculus teacher Paula Russell said. “He has an excitement about everything he’s in. Every day is a new day [with him] because he has so much he wants to share. Drew’s a loving, giving person that is a wonderful example of being involved.”

CHS Principal Brad Hunt also shares several unforgettable memories with Drew.

“He is such a positive impact on the school,” Hunt said. “His energetic personality, his sharp wit, and his craziness just make him a really special person. He is very academically motivated and just striving to be the best at [everything] he is involved in; he knows the importance of being well-rounded. Drew has a gift of service, not only to the school, but also to others.”

Video Credit Aleya Noor

By: Renee Rohani

Business Manager

With senior year nearing its end, some senior friends decided they didn’t want to leave Coppell High School without leaving their mark.

Seniors Suwetha Amsavelu, Satvika Ananth, Daphne Chen, Jessie King and Chris Nguyen came up with the idea of designing and selling T-shirts as a fundraiser, named “Poets on Shirts.”

In association with Junior World Affairs Council (JWAC), the group is selling the T-shirts and sending all of the proceeds collected to earthquake relief in Chile through American Red Cross. Up to now, the group has earned a little over $800 for the Chile effort.

“We just thought it’s our senior year and we wanted to do something before we left,” said King, the JWAC secretary. “We decided that T-shirts would be the most profitable thing because pretty much everyone likes to buy them.”

Aside from coming up with the idea themselves, the group also designed and created the T-shirts.

“The drawings were a collaborative effort,” King said. “We picked the poems we wanted to use on the shirts together and everyone added their own element of design.”

The three different T-shirt designs each display excerpts from three famous poems, all selected by the group of seniors. The poems are “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou, “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night” by Dylan Thomas and “If I Could Stop One Heart from Breaking” by Emily Dickinson.

“We specifically chose poems that have to do with rising up from adversity and fighting struggles,” said Amsavelu, JWAC treasurer.

The themes of the poems certainly reflect the motive of the group.

“It’s later in the year now, so unfortunately most people have forgotten the grief that is going on around the world,” King said. “We wanted to be sure the people at Coppell were still remembering that there are people in need.”

The fundraiser’s T-shirt designs have created quite a buzz around campus. Students and teachers alike are eager to participate.

“I heard what they were for and thought it was a pretty good idea,” junior Hayden Weaver said. “I liked the design of the shirt so I thought, ‘Why not?’”

English teacher Zack Sherman has vowed to wear his ‘Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night” shirt every Friday of the year. English teacher Nannette McMurtry also had praises for the shirts.

“What a great idea for the students to come up with, and it’s also great that it is going towards a good cause,” McMurtry said.

The most surprising success the group has had is coming from outside of the Coppell community. The group of seniors was shocked to discover the number of people requesting shirts who do not even attend CHS.

“Everything has been done through our Facebook group, and because of that people from all over have been calling and asking for shirts, even people we don’t know,” King said. “We didn’t really make any efforts to reach out to people outside of Coppell; it just happened.”

Because of the power of the Internet, “Poets on Shirts” is attracting the attention of buyers from Virginia, California, Massachusetts and New York to name a few locations.

Columbia University freshman Annie Liu was one such buyer.

“I was invited to the [Facebook] group and was really interested in what I saw,” Liu said. “I came to the high school to buy the shirts because the design really appealed to me and I knew it was for Chile.”

The success of the T-shirts has surpassed the anticipation of the group. Pre-orders for the red v-neck shirts were taken weeks ago, yet when orders finally came in, the shirts sold out in less than a day. The second order for the shirts has already been put in place.

“We hoped people would want to buy the shirts, but we never imagined we would have this much success,” King said. “I think people like the appeal of giving to charity and getting something out of it.”

The seniors plan to continue to raise money for Chile with the shirt designs they have and are grateful for the achievement the shirts have made.

“I don’t really think any of us ever imagined it would get this big,” Amsavelu said. “It’s just amazing.”

Shirts are still available for purchase. For more information, contact Satvika Ananth at satvika@gmail.com or visit the Facebook group, “Poets on Shirts: A T-shirt Fundraiser.”

Senior Nathan Reck models one of the shirt designs from the "Poets on Shirts" fundraiser. Photo by Viviana Trevino.

All Poets on Shirts T-shirts are now in! After a two-week wait the red American Apparel v-necks (If I shall stop one heart from breaking… I shall not live in vain –Emily Dickenson) have finally arrived. The beige and black T-shirts have been on campus at all lunches since the week before spring break for sale and for pick-up. Students and faculty that have purchased the red shirt (or any of the three shirts) can pick up their size at any lunch today until at least the end of the week.

The T-shirts were designed in collaboration of various students in JWAC to create the Poets of Shirts campaign. All three shirts are still on sale, $15 each, or three shirts for $30. All funds will go towards funding Chile earthquake relief.

“We’ve raised over $600 so far,” said JWAC Vice President Daphne Chen. “We’re really excited because not only is everyone getting excited about the cause, but they are getting something cool in return.”

The new and super-soft red American Apparel T-shirts are going fast, so grab one at lunch today. However, JWAC members are planning on having to order more shirts, which will take one week for arrival.

Seniors Duncan Dominguez and Kelly Winkle model the new JWAC shirts. Photo by Katie Quill

Last week on Feb. 27, an 8.8 magnitude earthquake hit central Chile, devastating the lives of its citizens through its sheer destruction. Aid has been flowing in to help the Chile citizens, and the Junior World Affairs Council (JWAC) of Coppell High School has pledged to do their part through a T-shirt campaign called Poets on Shirts.

Each of the three T-shirt options features quotes from famous pieces of poetry, from Emily Dickinson to Dylan Thomas and Maya Angelou. Those who wish to buy can buy either one shirt for $15 or all three for $30. All proceeds will be given to the American Red Cross to help the relief effort in Chile.

To get a shirt of your own, you can talk to a JWAC member stationed outside of Student Services during all lunches or directly to Satvika Ananth, Daphne Chen, Priya Gupta, Viviana Trevino to place your order. For those who don’t go to Coppell, you can mail a check payable to Junior World Affairs Council, or cash to 1103 Cowboys Pkwy, Irving, TX 75063. E-mail daphnechen93@gmail.com or satvikaa@gmail.com for more information.

As a side, why wouldn’t you want these shirts? On top of supporting a good cause, they look super cool. But I’m just saying.

Christina Baker Video

Devouring treat after frozen treat from the country of Australia, mastering the tedious art form of origami leisurely practiced in Japan and crossing the border to munch on tasty Mexican candies, Heritage Day event goers were able to travel the world without ever leaving the CHS commons.

Taking place on Feb. 5, Heritage Day serves as an opportunity for CHS students, as well as Coppell community members, to learn more about the diverse cultures, customs and traditions celebrated throughout the world. Started by Junior World Affairs Council (JWAC) club president Satvika Ananth, the fourth annual Heritage Day event has continued to grow and flourish throughout the years while staying true to its original intent: spreading the value and worth of diverse cultures, customs and traditions throughout the global community.

While senior club members face graduation this spring as well as the departure of club sponsor Rita Bauer in the form of retirement, hopes are placed on underclassmen to carry out the Heritage day tradition.

Senior participant Jessie King expressed feelings of inspiration and optimism when discussing next year’s event.

“This night is a bittersweet experience for all of us graduating this year as we greatly hope for the tradition to live on long after we leave,” King said.

This year’s Heritage Day event included classical and fusion forms of dance, sports demonstrations, instrumental performances, belly dancing and a comedic skit. Also present and affiliated with the event were informational booths providing cultural knowledge about countries such as Colombia, Turkey, Finland and Kazakhstan. While the type of activities within the production remained the same as previous years, the order and sequence were improved upon by focusing on the talent portion first and the informational session second.

Bauer felt that the changes made were a positive addition and enhancement to the night’s event.

“The ambiance created with the new lighting transformed the night and made the experience even better,” Bauer said. “The way we focused on the performances first and the informational sessions second was something new we tried and I think worked.”

Those in attendance were not only encouraged to venture beyond their comfort zones by learning about a variety of cultures and observing acts unique to each, but by delving into a world of new tastes and smells. In addition to the cultural information presented at each booth, a variety of snacks, desserts, meals and candies were made available to satisfy the appetites of those willing to try something spicy, tangy, sour or sweet.

Pulla, a deliciously sweet form of bread, embodies the traditions and customs of Finland, mouthwatering stuffed croissants represent the distinct country of France, zesty chips and salsa captures the culturally rich country of Mexico and boxti, a type of potato pancake, captivates the historically rich regions of Ireland.

Senior Harini Medicherla thought the food offered was one of the best parts of Heritage Day as you could experience a variety of cultures through each country’s cuisine.

“All of the food was really unique tasting and really great,” Medicherla said. “It not only allowed you to experience the cultural aspects of different countries, but there really was something for everyone.”   

While there is no telling what the future holds for Heritage Day, it seems that the culturally enriching and knowledgeable event has left a lasting impact on a number of CHS students and community members.

Original Video – More videos at TinyPic

JWAC members preapre for World Quest during an after school meeting. Frances Ruiz photo.

This Saturday, various members of the Junior World Affairs Council, better known as JWAC, will participate in the annual WorldQuest competition for which they have been preparing for since Nov. 1.

WorldQuest is an annual competition sponsored by the world affairs council of Dallas. Each year, there are 10 different topics chosen ranging from world events to sports knowledge. This year, categories include great decisions of 2009, the World Cup, migration patterns, food production throughout the world, genocide, world music, infectious diseases concentrating on AIDS and malaria throughout Africa, Caribbean and Oman.

“We have these really huge binders with all of these pages dedicated to our topics,” senior WorldQuest member Drew Hasson said. “We get quizzes over the readings that have the smallest details on them. It is incredibly hard.”

Last year was the first time for CHS to participate in WorldQuest. It placed in the top third of the teams at the competition. This year, the team hope to do better.

“Plano is always a powerhouse team,” JWAC and WorldQuest sponsor Rita Bauer said. “This year, my kids are saying they are going to win, so we will see. They really just want to do better than last year. This group is really delightful to work with because they have studied enthusiastically while still preparing for Heritage Night. They seem to be able to just do it all.”

The members are split up into three teams of four. Each member is designated three topics to study to ensure at least one person will have specified knowledge on a specific topic. With the topics being so broad, it is necessary to break up the information so no one is overwhelmed.

“We learn a lot through this,” senior WorldQuest participant Suwetha Amsavelu said. “It is cool because I am doing pandemics which I find really interesting. I am getting a lot of knowledge on things that I didn’t know anything about. I like it because I am actually getting something out of it.”

Since nobody knows which questions to expect at the competition, Bauer makes practice quizzes. The questions are very detailed with specifics on names and dates. Even the most minute element of a subject may appear, so it is vital that all students are well prepared.

“They are a great group,” Bauer said. “I have known many of the students for four years. They are like my little babies. They may be 17 and 18 but they are still my babies. They started out in my human geography class and I have been able to watch them all grow up and mature and share their successes. It has been an absolute delight.”

With a leader like Bauer, the World Quest students are confident. This is Bauer’s last year to coach World Quest students as after 36 years of teaching, nine of which were spent at CHS, she is retiring.

“It is bittersweet giving this up, but I have the next stage of my life to look forward to,” Bauer said. “We will find a wonderful sponsor to replace me who will carry on not only JWAC, but WorldQuest as well.”

Bauer’s current students do not take her retirement lightly.

“She is simply awesome,” Hasson said. “I am sad she is leaving because other people won’t get to experience her. I can’t imagine any of this going on without her.”

While most members are preparing and getting ready for tonight’s Heritage Day event,  it seems as though club participants can’t seem to catch a break- in a good way, that is.

Not only are senior members taking part in and planning the festivities of Heritage Day, but they are also competing in WorldQuest, a prestigious competition based on academics.

Did I mention that WorldQuest takes place the morning after Heritage Day? 

Yes, that’s right, the day after.

So not only are our JWAC peers and classmates completely booked for the weekend, but the next couple of weeks as well.

Members of the club will be selling three different shirts featuring a variety of poems and poets in honor of those suffering from the events within Haiti. One shirt is priced at 15 dollars, but for a fee of 35 dollars, you can purchase all three.

Support others in a new way by coming to Heritage Day or donating to the victims of Haiti. I know I’ll be checking out Heritage Day tonight and trying on a shirt next week. Why not do the same?

People around the world face suffering each day. Sometimes it takes a natural disaster to put the harsh realities of the lives of some into perspective for us. While the earthquake that devastated Haiti on Jan. 12 dispersed Haitian families, the disaster united foreign peoples under a common effort for relief aid. Do your part to help relieve Haitian families in need, whether it be through prayer, a tax-deductible monetary donation or enjoying the delicious home-baked desserts the Red Cross club was selling after school this week.

While on-line:
Donate any amount of money to World Vision, a foundation with 30 years of experience in Haiti, to help provide food, medicine and family survival kits including everything from clean water, blankets and tents to cooking supplies.

Or, to make sure your donation goes toward a specific relief need:
-PUR water packets-a $20 donation will provide 100 days of water for a Haitian family in need
-Food, health care and agricultural support
-emergency delivery of goods -your donation will help rush collapsible water containers, hygiene kits, cooking sets, blankets and tarpaulins for temporary shelter
-or, a monthly gift that will go towards helping affected children in Haiti by providing long-term relief, blankets, food and shelter for orphans and other children

Give a tax-deductable donation to Samaritan’s Purse Project.

While at the store:
Grab:

and a one gallon plastic bag to create a health kit for Haiti. All the above items, sealed in the plastic bag, can be returned to the nurse’s office at CHS for UMCOR (United Methodist Committee On Relief).

At school:
Bring your health kit for Haiti, for one. Secondly, don’t miss out on CHS’s Heritage Day tonight, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. Admission costs one dollar -a donation that will help fund Haiti’s situation. Festivies will include cultural dances, food, comedy and sale of JWAC club’s shirts for Haiti. These beautifully designed T-shirts will be for sale one for $15 or all three shirts for $35.

More ways to help Haiti.

For updates on the situation in Haiti.

Learn more about the country Haiti.

Further, check facebook for groups you can join that will automatically donate with each click.