The Talk: High School Elections or Popularity Contest?

November 2, 2023

Hosted by: Greeshma Marathu, Pranavi Ramineni, Niharika Tallpaka

Edited by: Wendy Le

School elections have existed for as long as we remember. It’s important to give every student a fair chance to be a student representative, regardless of their background or popularity. In this episode, The Sidekick staff writers Greeshma Marathu, Pranavi Ramanini and Niharika Tallapaka learn about how one’s character may influence their performance in a school’s election through interviewing Coppell High School Advanced Placement Precalculus/ Statistics teacher William Harrington and sophomore student council representative Lindsey Woo.

Follow along with our podcast with transcript.

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About the Contributors

Greeshma Marathu, Staff Writer

Greeshma is a sophomore and it’s her first year on The Sidekick. Greeshma’s life is packed with activities, ranging from being a thespian to playing badminton. She also likes going out with her closest friends, whether it be shopping runs at stores such as Hollister, Target and H&M or biking to tunes in her neighborhood park. If you’re thinking about treating her to some food, a steaming bowl of Mac nCheese is the way to go. Aladdin and Me Before You are some of Greeshma’s favorite movies and vibes with Drake if you pass her the aux. This summer, Greeshma was down on the coast of California for a week.

Pranavi Ramineni, Staff Writer

As you walk into the lavender room of Coppell High School sophomore Pranavi Ramineni, your eyes may catch the Haikyu poster, or a picture of Pranavi as a child with her grandfather, maybe her Coppell Middle School West Team Volleyball poster or the plethora of underwater watercolor paintings. Each of these are a facet of her identity. As your eyes continue to wander, they will set on the girl perched on her bed watching TV. You will first notice Pranavi’s hair, always out and as expressive as her. “There is a lot of my story behind my hair,” Ramineni said. “I cut my hair twice in elementary for cancer patients. In third grade, I cut it 12 inches. In fifth grade, I cut it eight inches.” But that inherent kindness to help the community shows in everything Pranavi does. As a first-year staffer on The Sidekick, Pranavi initially joined to surprise her friend for their birthday but continued because of her hopes to be a cartoonist and page designer. Regardless of whether she is painting with watercolor or singing for the Coppell Choir, Pranavi believes people can tell a story through a variety of mediums. In her free time, she enjoyed reading books, watching TV shows like the Real Housewives, or sitting at the local neighborhood park with friends that are able to be wholeheartedly themselves. In the future, Pranavi wants to apply computer science to the world of architecture and interior designing. You can contact her by emailing [email protected].

Niharika Tallapaka, Staff Photographer

Niharika is a sophomore and it’s her first year on The Sidekick as a staff writer.

Wendy Le, Podcast Producer

Wendy Le is a junior and the podcast producer of The Sidekick. Through The Sidekick, she found her passion in photography and podcasting. In her free time, she enjoys scrolling through Pinterest, capturing mundane moments on camera and spending time with her friends and family. When feeling burnt out, Le recharges her social battery by sitting in her bed and relaxing throughout the day. Listening to Lana Del Rey, specifically her Lust for Life album, helps bring a sense of peacefulness to her day. You can contact her at [email protected].

Coppell Student Media

Coppell Student Media

Coppell Student Media

The Talk: High School Elections or Popularity Contest?

Coppell Student Media

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