Goodbye winter 2010, hello new year’s spring! With the ushering in of cheery weather, the City of Coppell has published its dates for yearly family-fun traditions, like the upcoming EGGstravaganza, a free egg hunt at Wagon Wheel Park starting at 11 o’ clock on April 23, open for parents and their children up to ten-years-old.

Join local businesses, organizations, and CHS’s own ECoppell club at this year’s Earthfest taking place April 30 at Town Center Plaza from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., a celebration of keeping Coppell green. Enjoy crafts, informative and interactive sessions and live music by band Vocal Trash.

Also don’t miss Bounce!, an event part of Coppell’s “health and wellness” initiative that will over inflatable slides, bungee trampolines, bounce houses, face painting, drinks and live music.

And for everyone’s favorite summer memory, celebrate the fourth of July with your friends and neighbors at Andy Browm Park East at sundown on July 3 (7 p.m. till 10 p.m.) for Coppell’s firework show. Don’t miss the parade earlier the next morning for the annual Patriotic Parade.

Graphic by Lauren Ussery

My family is insane, and our family gatherings are nothing short of expectations.
Every Thanksgiving, my dad’s side of the family comes over to our house, and we do the tradition as we have always done. Turkey, ham, green bean casserole, football games on television and an outdoor scrimmage: this is what Thanksgiving means to me.
My uncles sit outside with my father “jamming out” to old country songs on their acoustic guitars after dinner. My siblings go upstairs with my older cousins and play with the Ouija board while the rest of us watch A Charlie Brown Christmas on VHS. This is tradition. This is family.
These are the things that I want to keep in my life forever.
However, this year Thanksgiving was different. Only one of my siblings was able to visit, and he could only stay for a few hours. Less people showed up in general, having their own separate family gatherings to attend to. We’re no longer a main event; we’re simply another quick stop to be scheduled into the day’s events.
I am the youngest of all the cousins on my dad’s side of the family, and as I grow up, things are changing. For all I know, after I graduate our traditions may very well cease to exist. We will continue to grow up and consequently apart.
It is hard to think of an end to all this joy. Too many of my childhood memories are centered around these get-togethers; I would hate to let them go.
It is hard to think of endings in general for me. Generally disliking change, I can say that come graduation day, I will genuinely be sad to leave the halls of CHS – no matter how much stress or fear they may incur now.
This time, high school, has been a rapid period of growth for me, the most fluid time of my life. Friends have come and gone – not through fights, but rather painlessly as the changing of the seasons. Obsessions, tastes, hobbies – are all evolving on a regular basis. For my change fearing self, this can get pretty terrifying.
It would be too easy to go through high school – and the rest of life for that matter – with my eyes fixated on the finish line. I could greet our guests on Thanksgiving Day next year with the thought that the next time they come could be the last.
But then I would forget to have fun.
I will not count down the days until graduation. I will not think about saying goodbye. In doing so, I would be robbing myself of enjoying the richness of life. I refuse to think of everything as fleeting. Some things may end, but they will remain very much a part of me.
Change will come, and I cannot shut my eyes to avoid seeing the world around me become one that I do not recognize. I will eventually have to open my eyes and learn to live presently, simply and fully.

Tradition is defined as the handing down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs, information, etc., from generation to generation, especially by word of mouth or by practice. However, I see it as a way to keep people ignorant of discovering new things and a reason to live in the past.

Personally tradition can either go into two categories. There are traditions like holidays, religious practices or familial rituals. On the other hand are the traditions that I view as a waste of time.

I recently visited Texas A&M to see my brother. This being the weekend for Aggie seniors to receive their coveted class rings, the campus was full of family members. One thing I noticed was the pride the students had for their school – almost too much, in fact.

After learning about all of their traditions, I was amazed that people could remember them all; there was something for everything. There were yells, mascots, honors, events and clothing. The traditions go as far as to dictate words that should be said in a conversation.

The list continues with one of the most-seen Aggie traditions, yelling. There are different yells for different events. To make sure these Aggies are in top shape for game day, they have a series of “Midnight yell” practices.

The list of Aggie traditions is never ending. Collegiate traditions are supposed to be seen as an enjoyable way to increase school spirit and have a good time all at once; However I see this extensive amount to be more overwhelming than enjoyable.

After visiting I couldn’t understand this desperate need to live in the past.
They say they are just carrying on the tradition, but why?

Many Ivy League schools have treasured traditions that can be dated back as being older then much of Texas A&M traditions. Dartmouth for example has traditions that are hundreds of years old that involve all sectors of the school life including anything from holidays to streaking. There are many elite societies’ that have strong traditions embedded in their history.

With these elite societies, sororities, and fraternities comes the traditional rushing process. All of these organizations want to make sure the best of the best get in but, the decision process can be taken too far. There has been many problems over the years with hazing students. These traditions have gone so far as to injure or even kill college students. It was reported on Inside Hazing that nearly 250,000 students experience some form of hazing during their time in college. Some traditions need to end when they not only dictate your college experience but could potentially cause mental or physical illness.

Instead of worrying so much about what was done in the past, people should focus on the future and creating new experiences. If everything is ruled by tradition, how can new unique experiences ever be made?

College -and life in general- should be about growing as a person and learning who you really are. However, when you’re stuck living exactly like everyone one has for the past 200 years, traditions can sometimes stand in the way of creating your own path. To me, tradition can definitely be taken too far, to the point where it is not special – it is just routine.

The Final Four this weekend pits Duke vs. West Virginia and Michigan State vs. Butler.  For Michigan state this is their sixth Final Four appearance in the past twelve years and for coach K. this will be his eleventh appearance.

As for West Virginia and Butler? West Virginia will make their second Final Four appearance and first since 1951, while Butler will make its first ever appearance this year.

Butler comes into the tournament as the hottest team winning over twenty games in a row, while West Virginia has had a very successful tournament run they first started winning in the Big East tournament.

Traditional blue blood Duke shared the ACC regular season title with rival Maryland, but were too much for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets as coach Krzyewski won his twelfth ACC tournament title.  Michigan state is really only the team that was not on fire coming into this tournament.

Michigan State lost early in the Big Ten tournament and lost key guard Kalin Lucas in their second round game against Maryland.

Whatever the results are for this tournament, it will go down again in March history as another wacky and wild March Madness.

For more information on the tournament click here.

I often write about traditions.  Call me sentimental, but I just love the familiarity and comfort of routine.  As a senior, however, I am growing slightly nervous over the fact that I will be dropping everything and moving to Abilene Christian University—three hours from Coppell—in just six months.

In a way, though, it’s also exciting.  Because although I will be leaving traditions behind, I look forward to beginning new ones that might last into my adulthood.

I will miss watching American Idol and The Bachelor with my family and critiquing the shows as if we are experts.  I will miss driving to church on Sunday mornings with my sister as we sing to the radio and stuff donuts down our throats at the last minute.  I will miss begging my parents to take us out to lunch on Sunday afternoons, as my sister and I have done since we could speak.

Though I will be back for Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks, I will not get to experience the extensive prep before both holidays.  Every year, I have helped decorate the inside of our house for Christmas, and I have always been present when we selected the perfect Christmas tree.  Next year, however, I will come home to a house that is already decked-out in green and red, stockings, angels and lights.

Not only will I be taken away from the “big” traditions, but I will also miss the less-significant ones.  I am beginning to savor the sweet moments of just sitting around talking and laughing with my friends—some of the most fun and truly effortless moments of my life—because I know I won’t get to experience them much after August.

Seniors always say to “enjoy it while it lasts,” and though I have always disregarded the advice, I now realize the truth of the seemingly cliché statement.   I am beginning to grasp how important it is to relish and remember all the big and small things that you get to experience in your youth—and specifically in high school.

This last semester of school, I am attempting to appreciate the small traditions that I have grown accustomed to over the years, realizing even simple events like being with my friends and family members on their birthdays will be different after graduation.

And though it will in some ways be a bitter parting, I know it will also be very sweet.  I am looking forward to forming new traditions in college, maybe having Movie Fridays, baking chocolate chip cookies before finals or painting my face for football games.  I let my imagination roam.  I look forward and hope to develop different routines and experience new “collegiate” habits that will further define me as the adult I will be when I graduate.

Because that’s life, isn’t it?

I know it is not healthy to stay complacently happy in the traditions and routines I now experience, because without leaving them behind I can never move forward and reach all the goals I want to accomplish.  Just as we advance from crawling to walking, from elementary to high school, it is part of our design to leave behind our childhood customs and form new ones that are truly ours—not our parents’.

So I will resolve to enjoy the traditions I encounter over the remaining months and look forward to future routines with excitement.

And then I’ll just go with the flow.

The much anticipated Spirit of Coppell Holiday Parade of Lights on Saturday, December 5 will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Samuel and follow down Parkway to Town Center Plaza where Coppellians will meet the lighting of Town Center.

This year’s parade theme is “wreaths and trees, ribbons and bows” so expect to see festively decorated floats and parade walkers who will be passing out glowing items and candy. The night is guaranteed to be brilliant and bright with each float required to have at least 200 lights. Before the parade, floats will be judged and first and second place winners will be selected. Santa Clause and Mrs. Clause will be atop last year’s first place winner’s float.

The celebration and lighting at Town Center is an annual tradition full of holiday cheer and jolly good fun and this year will include a snow area, performances, carolers, refreshments and a special appearance from Santa Clause. Festivities are to begin immediately after the parade.

All intersections along the route of the parade will be temporarily closed for safety and reopened as the parade passes. Parking is available at the Aquatic and Recreation Center as well as the north side of the Justice Center (click for directions).

Everything’s bigger in Texas, and we are proud of it. Not only do we sport the world’s largest cowboy boots (found in San Antonio), but we also have the most pride and the biggest hearts… to name just a few of the reasons the state holds a special place in my heart.

I love Texas. Everything from the flat land revealing the sky from horizon to horizon to our Southern slang. I love the stereotypes which come along with living here, as comical as they may be. Instead of offending me, it makes me proud to be a Texan when someone comments on my accent or asks if I own a horse.

Aside from culture, the “Lone Star State” is also special because of its traditions and unique associations. For example, where else can you go to a state fair serving everything—and I mean everything—fried?

We also are known for our crazy traditions such as high school homecoming mums and garters, seen on a grand scale at CHS, and the way we flock to the TV and stadiums for football games. You are simply not Texan if you don’t scream when your team makes a great touchdown or deck out in college sportswear when the “big game” is on. As fanatical as it is, the customary football season enthusiasm is as much a part of the state as Dairy Queen and unpredictable weather.

But more than the extravagant things we do, Texans are special because of the way we are.

We almost have our own language, knowing that a “coke” is not necessarily a Coca-Cola but any form of soft drink, and “y’all” is perfectly fitting and more specific than “you.” We measure distance in minutes without realizing it (How far is Wal-Mart from my house? About 10 minutes) and know that anything lower than SPF 30 is a joke in the summer.

I, along with all other Texans, have the weather down perfectly, making sure my car has both A/C and heating, because I will most likely be using them both in one day. I know the best parking spot is determined by shade rather than proximity and am accustomed to listening to the weather report before choosing what to wear.

Though these aspects of Texas life are some of the reasons I love the state, they also drive me crazy at times, making me want to move far away.

For example, when the pavement burns my feet, I still get sunburned in October and the hot air in my parked car suffocates me, it can get a little tiring. Sometimes I wish our weather would just be balanced, that we would have warm summers and cold winters. And maybe over three inches of ice…I mean snow.

Also, there just is not that much to do in Texas. Yes, there is Six Flags, the Alamo, a few big cities and the beach, but we certainly do not have a Disney World, Broadway or Grand Canyon. It would be nice to have a few outstanding landmarks to define our state and give us a way to pass the time and attract tourists.

However, I can admit our state is striking for just being what it is, and that is why I am able to forgive Texas for the characteristics that I do not always enjoy.

Even when I am not perfectly content with my state, I am proud of the passionate features which are specially our own. But it’s not just the crazy things about Texas that make me love it, it is also the sentimental aspects of the state.

For example, Texans value our state and recognize its beauty and matchlessness when we say the pledge to the Texas flag every day in school. Though some people view this as a prideful and unnecessary tradition, I think it is wonderful. I believe it is important for children to grow up with an appreciation for not only their country but also their state, as that is where loyalty begins.

One of my other favorite Texas traditions is taking bluebonnet pictures. My sister and I have countless photos of us as little girls, sitting and playing in patches of the striking flowers, and I know it is a tradition in many other families as well. I think it is a beautiful custom, combining family love and Texas pride.

All in all, Texas is beautiful to me, both in land and character. While I love the outrageous things we do and are known for, I also appreciate the respect and pride we have for our state. Like they say, “Texas, it’s like a whole other country.”

“What’s a mum?” she asked with confusion.

Wanting to show her an important Texas tradition, I pulled up Facebook and showed her pictures from this year’s game. It was not long after she saw the first picture of the white ribbons and fake flowers that she burst into hysterics.

This is a pretty normal reaction for someone who is not Texas-born and raised, because, let’s face it, this offbeat tradition we call “homecoming” is only a big deal to us. 

Besides the Southlake Carroll game, there aren’t many occasions where the entire school is involved. Homecoming, however, is one of the biggest.

When you look through the halls, you see a majority of students, and even teachers, dressed up for theme days. Now, I don’t know about you, but nothing makes me happier than seeing my teachers, my very sophisticated teachers, dressed up as if it were Halloween.

Each year, even though the themes are different, people always wear avant-garde outfits and are dressed to impress during Homecoming week. Along with the students and teachers, the doors, hallways and windows are decorated.

To me, it seems like Homecoming gives everyone a chance to be involved in promoting school spirit through events such as the parade and dance.  

But participation isn’t limited to CHS students. The entire community is active in homecoming. The police department and fire department play a role in the production of the parade and it seems like all of Coppell is at the game itself and then celebrating the win afterwards at local restaurants.

Also, it’s a time for former students to come back and get that feeling they’ve been missing since leaving Coppell: good ol’ Cowboy spirit. They get to see old friends and teachers and help celebrate the most important nights of the year.

Often, even cheerleader alumni give a blast from the past that can be seen on the sidelines, as they attempt to join this year’s squad in cheering and dancing.

Perhaps the thing about homecoming that most people find overrated and unnecessary is the mums and garters. But there’s a little more to them besides annoying bells and itchy necks by the end of the day.

I know that I can look on my wall at the mums hanging and I can tell who my date was, what events I participated in and what I wore to both the game and the dance. True, I might remember those things anyway, but a mum is a visual memory of homecoming. They might look and feel ridiculous, but it’s all for fun and to get into the spirit of the tradition.

And in these unusual ways, homecoming creates tradition, something CHS knows all about, and a tradition that we can all testify is anything but normal. For homecoming, we pull out all the stops.

Seniors enjoy the homecoming pep rally from the stands.