CISD Middle Schools awarded IBM Grants

By Mary Whitfill Features Editor IBM (International Business Machines) awarded $15,000 in grants to Coppell ISD that will be used to encourage middle school girls’ interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math.) A $10,000 IBM Catalyst Grant will help CISD increase what they call the “girl friendliness” of middle school STEM programs. The grant will be used to purchase equipment to implement a rigorous STEM program that taps into interest of girls and enhance certain math and science classes. The objective of the Catalyst Grant is to provide role models with positive images of females in the fields of science and engineering. In addition, a $5,000 IMB Community Grant will be used to purchase…

Opportunity to compete in JrVASE arises for middle school students

Laura Kattilakoski Staff Writer For middle school artists, the time to start preparations for high school art competition begins next month. The Junior Visual Arts Scholastic Event, or JrVASE, will be held in May. The competition does not have the same intensity of the high school VASE competition, where some students become eligible to compete at state, but it does allow students to experience the interview process and nature of the contest. This year’s National Art Honor Society is helping young artists get their start by volunteering at the event for NAHS hours. Their duties consist of carrying artwork back and forth and assisting with other behind the scenes duties.

Drumline gets fresh blood at tryouts

By Mike Pankonien Staff Writer Video by Eric Park and Adam Borel After working and practicing for three years, Kenzie Hitz finally got a chance to try out for the Coppell High School percussion program this May. You see, Hitz is an eighth grader this year who will be moving up into her freshmen year of high school next year. Hitz has taken part in the Coppell Middle School East percussion program for three years, learning to play a variety of instruments such as xylophone, bass drum, snare drum, and marimba. And now all her hard work has finally paid off, at the yearly CHS percussion tryouts. “Playing for the East [Middle School] band has…

CHS to host JrVASE

By Julia Kim Staff Writer The Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE) is returning once again this year. However, this time, it is a competition only available to students in middle school; it is JrVASE. Just like last year, it will be held at Coppell High School tomorrow, April 24. The students in 6th, 7th and 8th grades can submit up to two works of art and must explain each in an interview. Those who earn a superior rating of 4 will receive a metal but do not have the opportunity to go to a state event because one does not exist. There are three divisions, white (beginners), red (intermediate) and blue (advanced). Students must medal…

CHS prepares to welcome freshmen

Frances Ruiz Staff Writer While no thoughts are more terrifying to an incoming freshman than mercilessly being thrown over the senior bridge or having to eat the sack lunch mom packed alone in the bathroom, certain measures have been taken by Coppell High School and New Tech High@Coppell to help students adjust to the upcoming period of change and transition. Taking place from Feb. 15-17, eighth graders throughout CISD ventured outside of their CMS North, East and West comfort zones to bravely face the unknowns of high school. During the scheduled visits to their next home away from home, the incoming freshman class was able to familiarize itself with the unique facets of campus, such…

Coppell tennis teams serve up $7,500 for Jack’s Closet

by Ashley Attanucci Staff Writer Video by Liz Meyer and Chloe Lanier “We’ve got Jack’s back” read the Styrofoam cups in the fence of the tennis courts, advertising the CHS tennis team’s Serve-A-Thon fundraiser. The Serve-A-Thon took place Wednesday, Jan. 27 throughout the day in honor of Jack’s Closet and its founder, CMSW 7th grader and tennis player Jack Barker. JV, varsity and middle school tennis teams united to earn pledges or flat donations from the community. Each player received a pledged amount of money for every one out of 100 serves they made, earning a total of over $7,500 for Jack’s Closet, a foundation dedicated to collecting Snuggies for cancer patients. Jack’s Closet was…