When I walked into Coppell High School newsroom D115 on the first day of my junior year, I was nervous to be sharing the room with many of whom I saw as the big wigs of the Sidekick universe. Editors made up a third of my class and in all honesty, out of those among them, I envisioned senior and executive news editor Sahasra Chakilam as one of the most intimidating.
During my first year on staff, news writing was not something I had experience with, and I expected the overseer of our paper’s most important section to be someone serious and somewhat frightening, especially considering she held the position the year prior. However, when Sahasra stood up to introduce herself in the 2024-25 school year, I did not see a face of rigidness and aggression, but one of the prettiest smiles and kindest eyes I had seen.
Sahasra quickly taught me a new way to command a room. She may lead a section requiring hard facts and vigilance, but shows us how to navigate it with respect and patience.
Sahasra radiates a welcoming energy, one that makes people listen. Her dedication to her section and encouragement of each staff member’s place within it is evident in her openness about anything Sidekick. I deeply admire her willingness to help others, not only by guiding them through problems, but showing the steps to find solutions.
Separate from her gift of mentoring, Sahasra makes D115 a lighter place. Her laugh carries from one person to the next, and talking to her about things separate from journalism I find myself more motivated to be a better student — because she shows such an incredible ability to balance who she is as an individual with what she can do as an editor.
This more personal side of Sahasra comes out in small moments — her weekly song recommendations in the staff newsletter, her love for movies and concerts, the way she’s able to add a layer of silliness and fun to class conversations and, simply, the gentle nature she always seems to have.
I have truly loved getting to learn from Sahasra this year, and will forever view her as one of the most inspiring leaders in The Sidekick and an example of what it means to be beautiful, inside and out. I will miss her grace, her laugh and every second that I got to spend under her leadership.
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