Coppell Student Media

News
Powers elected to board of trustees alongside Walker, Hill
Yug Talukdar, Assignment Editor | May 4, 2025
CHS9
Lindquist inspiring instruction as 2024-25 Secondary Teacher of the Year
Anvita Bondada, CHS9 Editor | May 3, 2025
Baseball
Bishop catching opportunities through persistent drive
Maddy Park, Staff Photographer | April 29, 2025
News
Coppell Student Media racking up prestige, claiming 2025 NSPA Pacemaker award
Katie Park, Staff Writer | April 28, 2025

News

Coppell High School history teacher and Lewisville City Council candidate Joshua Chanin is now in a runoff with Lonnie E. Tipton for Place 4. On May 3, Lewisville City Council elections were held at Lewisville City Hall.

Campaign continues for Chanin as council race moves to runoff

Marli Field, Staff Writer • May 10, 2025

Coppell High School history teacher Joshua Chanin finds himself in a runoff for Place 4 on Lewisville’s City Council. Chanin received 37...

Pinkerton Elementary School fifth grade students Caroline McAdams, A’meiree Cleveland and Penelope Toledo work with Coppell High School juniors Hemi Riojas and Aditi Rathod on their exhibition on April 8. The exhibition is an annual project tackling global issues that students work towards during their time at Pinkerton.

IB Diploma juniors lend a hand to Pinkerton students for PYP Exhibition

Gia Ajani, Staff Writer • May 5, 2025

In The Know is a series from The Sidekick detailing events involving Coppell High School and Coppell ISD happening this week. It will be posted every Monday for the remainder of the 2024-25 school year. Graphic by Yug Talukdar

In the Know: 5/5-5/11

Yug Talukdar, Assignment Editor • May 5, 2025

Saturday, Coppell ISD Board of Trustees Places 1, 2 and 3 are up for election. Voting centers will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Photo by Sukirtha Muthiah

Campaigns culminating as Election Day arrives

Yug Talukdar, Assignment Editor • May 2, 2025

Putting a price tag on senior prom

Ahana Roy, Staff Designer • April 30, 2025

Photo Galleries

Mental Health Expo encouraging emotional awareness
Tanishka Kale, Staff Photographer | May 9, 2025
Cowpokes unite to celebrate, commemorate Pinkerton memories
Neha Nathwani, Staff Writer | May 6, 2025
Strong defense not enough to overtake Marauders
Nyah Rama and Naila Ali | May 3, 2025
Dive into the chaotic life of Bob
Prajna Boddeti, Photographer | May 1, 2025
Growing a greener future at annual Earthfest
Tanishka Kale, Staff Photographer | April 30, 2025
Celebrating Class of 2025 Top 5% students
Isabella Callegaro Santos and Caitlyn Concepcion | April 30, 2025

Sports

Coppell track and field competed in the Class 6A Region I track and field meet at UT-Arlington Maverick Stadium from April 18-19, earning standout finishes, breaking school records and securing state-qualifying marks in various track and field events. On May 3, qualifiers compete at the University of Texas at Austin for the Class 6A state meet.

Five track athletes advancing to state

Sabah Uddin, Communications Manager • May 2, 2025

Coppell sophomore Maya Easterwood and Denton Braswell junior Macy Wingard race for first place, with third over 10 seconds behind. However,...

Coppell senior outfielder Railey Mathine practices with the Cowgirls on March 31 at Coppell ISD Baseball/Softball Complex. Mathine picked up softball in fourth grade and has developed a passion for the sport, joining varsity in her junior year.

Mathine’s ray of sunshine radiates softball diamond

Riya Prasad, Staff Writer • April 30, 2025

Coppell senior attack Cale Stricklen sprints past Keller to score on Friday at S.P Lesley Field. The Cowboys lost to the Indians, 20-2.

Endings bring new beginnings for lacrosse team

Raima Awan, Staff Wrtier • April 29, 2025

Riya Bapna, Isabella Nguyen, Alicia Bellendir, Nethra Sheri, and Elizabeth Bellendir celebrate their Class 6A Region I championship victory after a dominating 15-stroke win. The Cowgirls play in the Class 6A state championship on Monday and Tuesday with a gold medal on their minds. Photo courtesy Gary Beyer

Redemption tour beckons state championship win

Namir Awan, Sports Editor • April 25, 2025

Opinions

Sending off The Sidekick’s seniors

Gia Ajani, Vidya Praveen, Naseeha Masood, Hamza Zakir, Leila Holmes-Yllescas, Rachel Chio, Prathi Tamara Sathish Kumar, Naila Ali, Hannah Vipin, Aarnav Yarlagadda, Eirene Park, Elizabeth De Santiago, Kirsten Schnock, Raima Awan, Pranavi Ramineni, Sohalia Reddy, Riya Prasad, Emmalee Jittasupo, Jay Vernekar, Prisha Hooda, Marli Field, Karthika Dayanand, Hiral Patel, Kevin Gunnampalli, Aashi Panchal, and Safiya Azam • May 9, 2025

Controversy around what is taught in classrooms has been prominent in Texas after Governor Greg Abbott signed a bill banning Critical Race Theory in the curriculum. The Sidekick staff writer Neha Nathwani thinks teaching diverse viewpoints is essential to maintain balance in perspectives on controversial topics in Texas education

Secondary education needs exposure, not erasure

Neha Nathwani, Staff Writer • May 9, 2025

The Sidekick staff writer Naila Ali did not plan to trade basketball for soccer, but in doing so, she uncovered strength. As a goalkeeper, student journalist and resilient competitor, Ali reflects the quiet determination that defines her. Photo Illustration by Sohana Singh and Pranavi Ramineni

Silencing the negativity for greater athletic success

Naila Ali, Staff Writer • April 24, 2025

In the state of Texas, students are required to attend school from ages 6 to 19. The Sidekick staff writer Deepali Kanchanavally thinks, following the current laws, school attendance should be mandatory. Graphic by Yoshita Sanivarpu.

Classrooms teaching lessons beyond the whiteboard

Deepali Kanchanavally, Staff Writer • April 16, 2025

Student Life

Seniors trekking onto unique trails post-graduation

Yug Talukdar, Assignment Editor • May 8, 2025

Joseph Kysiak Water. Pipes. Screws. Sinks. These are commonplace throughout thousands of homes in Coppell. However, they hold memories...

Coppell High School Spanish teacher Maria Delgado compares Spanish and English words to contrast pronunciations between the languages in her seventh period class. Delgado fosters understanding by utilizing interactive learning.

Faculty Focus: Delgado finding her voice, from music to teaching

Riya Suresh, Staff Writer • May 6, 2025

Coppell High School senior Jackson Chen is the class of 2025 salutatorian. Chen attributes his success to discipline and maintaining a well-rounded and humble perspective, rather than chasing a title.

Chen’s consistency paying off in salutatorian spotlight

Aarnav Yarlagadda, Staff Writer • May 6, 2025

Coppell High School 2025 valedictorian Ashia Agarwal used her upbringing in India to inspire her journey in founding EcoSummit, a nonprofit aimed at expanding environmental awareness. Agarwal is committed to Duke University next fall, where she plans to major in environmental science and policy. (Photo illustration by Hannah Vipin and Katie Park)

Agarwal sustaining environment through application development

Katie Park, Staff Writer • May 2, 2025

CHS9

Ajwani changing the world with science

Nidhi Medicharla, Staff Photographer • May 9, 2025

In a world filled with discovery and adventure, there are those going beyond simply learning, immersing themselves in curiosity and exploration....

CHS9 student Henry Webb sings a solo for “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back” in the Coppell High School Auditorium on April 11. Webb displays enthusiasm for fine arts through his involvement in Vivace! show choir and theater.

Webb connecting harmony with talented voice in Vivace!

Rhea Choudhary, Executive Features Editor • April 30, 2025

CHS9 librarian Brenna Conway reads a fantasy book at the CHS9 Library on April 9. Conway fosters a safe space for students and the community through her enthusiastic personality and love for books. Photo illustration by Vibha Viswanath and Violet Hsueh

Conway cultivating belonging through books

Meghana Linga, Staff Photographer • April 28, 2025

CHS9 students Gemma Sharma, Snigdha Koti, Jiya Desai, Medha Engala and Samyutha Ponangi rehearse “The Wild Bunch Women” in the Dome on April 2. CHS9 theater presented its UIL One-Act Play “The Wild Bunch Women” on Wednesday and Thursday.

“The Wild Bunch Women” brings sentiment, action to CHS9 stage

Hannah Vipin, Staff Photographer • April 18, 2025

Arts & Entertainment

Coppell High School senior Pavithra Vijaykumar serves as the president of Coppell Band. Vijaykumar has been a member of Coppell Band for four years, leading through determination and dedication.

Crescendoing to the coda

Ishana Sharma, Lifestyle & Wellness Editor • May 1, 2025

Music is a layered art, the sounds of various instruments blending together to weave into a song. These instrumental layers fascinate senior...

Coppell Color Guard senior captain Pia Lala practices her rifle choreography on April 11 in the Large Gym. Lala has been a dedicated member of CCG for four years and plans to continue performing arts at the University of Michigan next year.

From alternate to two-time captain: Lala’s legacy

Prathi Tamara Sathish Kumar, Staff Writer • May 1, 2025

Audiobooks provide an alternative to people who have difficulties finding time to sit and read. The Sidekick staff writer Jay Vernekar values how audiobooks allow him to access stories anytime and anywhere. Photo illustration by Kevin Gunnampalli and Ani Ly

Exploring storytelling through sound waves

Jay Vernekar, Staff Writer • April 30, 2025

Photography overlooked as an art form

Dayami Granados, Staff Photographer • April 18, 2025

Lifestyle & Wellness

Chase your natural high

Leila Holmes-Yllescas, Staff Writer • May 7, 2025

It is not an alarm or coffee that gets you awake in the morning, it’s your neural chemistry. Behind every action is a message from your brain. Dopamine...