Second annual PSA expo to be held tomorrow

By Christina Burke Staff Writer Tomorrow, the Public Services Academy (PSA) at Coppell High School will be hosting their second annual health and education expo open to the public. In this expo, the freshman and sophomores of PSA will be presenting some of their work and service projects from this school year. Guest speakers include Tracey Yukich, Season 8 winner of the television show The Biggest Loser and Todd Whitthorne from the Cooper Aerobics Center. Speakers will be covering topics for the lecture series: “A New Year, A Better You”. Topics will include tips for healthier eating and college planning. Other activities include free adult health screening provided by Baylor Medical Center of Irving, a petting zoo,…

From the hard wood to the habitat the Cowboys help out those in need

By Chase Porter Staff Writer Photo courtesy of Sharon Mankin Over the past few years the Coppell varsity basketball team has not only been competing for a championship but they have also been participating in service projects all over the Metroplex. On Dec. 3, the boys varsity basketball team sacrificed their usual practice time on Saturday morning to work for a better cause. Teaming up with the Habitat for Humanity program, the boys built and repaired damaged houses and much more. “The team did a lot of manual labor,” coach Brad Chasteen said. “They did some landscaping, spackling, painting, repairing dry walls and a good amount of trash detail around the area.” The Cowboys traveled…

Restland Coppell Chapel hosts community remembrance service

By Kimberly Del Angel Staff Writer This Sunday, Rolling Oaks Memorial Center and Restland Coppell Chapel, both located at 400 S. Freeport Parkway, will be hosting a community candlelit  remembrance in honor of those who’ve recently lost a loved one. The service will be held on Dec. 11 at 3 p.m. and will feature the names of each loved one as a candle is lit in their memory. Seasonal harp music will play throughout the funeral home lobby in efforts to create a comforting environment for all. Between Dec. 1- 31, the public is invited to visit Restland Coppell Chapel to place an ornament in memory of loved ones on a special memorial tree. A dove ornament will be provided free of charge…

Kids for Kids club kicks off new events

By Kristen Shepard Staff Writer One of the more popular clubs at CHS, the Kids for Kids club is planning some exciting new events and service ideas this year. This morning the club met in its traditional location, Coach Rushing’s room in B Hall, to discuss the upcoming events. On the agenda currently are plans to support children at the White Rock Marathon. Each year the White Rock Marathon attracts thousands of runners and joggers who are looking to compete in one of the nation’s most well known races. The race, which will take place on December 4th, expects to donate 1.2 million dollars to the cause. The Kids for Kids club will be signing…

Irving students have a “blast” at Science Night

Addy Buigas-Lopez Staff Writer Ready, Set, Teach! and Public Service Academy students perform “chemical poppers” at Irving Lee Elementary’s Science Night. Photo courtesy of Brenda Brinkman. Think back to when you were in elementary school. Do you remember those special days when a guest would come in to show you something that seemed far more interesting than what your teacher had to say? Do you remember taking the things you made and learned home to impress your parents with? Do you remember those lab days when science class had experiments that could easily make Bill Nye jealous? Not many classes get the same academic experiences as students in Coppell. However, thanks to Ready, Set, Teach!…

HART dedicated to saving lives in Irving

by Ashley Attanucci Web Manager Video by Rumill Batts Did you know that five out of ten dogs and seven out of ten cats that are sent to shelters never find homes and are euthanized? Though there are over 3,500 shelters and hundreds more rescue groups in the U.S. that aim to save animals, 11,000 cats and dogs are euthanized each day due to overcrowding alone. Organizations like HART (the Humane Animal Rescue Team), help reduce this number of destroyed, abandoned animals by combating problems locally. HART is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization run entirely by volunteer staff who work around the clock to ensure these animals a happy, healthy future. From handling paper work,…

Memories grow at Storch memorial

by Ashley Attanucci Staff Writer Video by Drake McWhorter After losing one of their most beloved students, Coppell Middle School East has built an on-campus memorial site for eighth grader Taylor Storch. An oak tree, known as Taylor’s Tree, was planted in the center of a student-designed garden to make permanent Storch’s presence at the school. Both for the students and teachers that knew her, and for her family –Mr. Todd Storch, Mrs. Tara Storch, Ryan, 11, and Peyton, 9-  the site dedicated to Storch’s memory is a comfort and daily reminder of her spirit. “When all this happened, when Taylor passed away, Tara and I knew that the school is really important to her -it’s important…

Poets on Shirts red v-necks have finally arrived

By Ashley Attanucci Staff Writer 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…

Cans for a cause: Food Pantry assists needy Coppell families

by Ashley Attanucci Staff Writer Coppell High School started its very own food pantry officially at the beginning of this school year and, after a rocky start of trying to get it started in years past, it has finally taken off. The Food Pantry, an idea by Assistant Principal Laura Stout, is located on campus and provides non-perishable food items like cereal, canned goods and pastas to provide temporary relief to Coppell High School families in need. The high demand for necessities that families faced last year in the heat of the economy jump started the need for a year-round food pantry. “The pantry got started by finding out through students that several families couldn’t…

Make a Child Smile deadline fast approaching

by Ashley Attanucci Staff Writer The City of Coppell is again hosting the Make a Child Smile program that offers some extra help to Coppell families during the holidays. For its twentieth year, Make a Child Smile allows members of the community to help their neighbors by donating gifts for Coppell children. Participants choose an ornament from the tree at Town Hall which will name a few gifts of the child’s wish list. Those interested in participating should visit the City Secretary’s Department, at Town Center 225 Parkway Blvd., and pick a paper ornament off the holiday tree. Participants who have previously picked up an ornament should return their wrapped gift of clothing and/or a toy…