The tension can be felt as editors rush around the room, trying to get the last few pages of our issue together. Designers quickly cram last-minute changes into their Adobe InDesign files.

Among the chaos, webmaster/interactives editor Manasa Borra sits peacefully, yet works diligently. 

I feel the madness of the room start to weigh on me, and I look to Manasa to calm me down. “Relax, it’s all good, man.”

I think about her words that day often. Though the moment was brief, I play it back in my head every time I begin to stress. I have always admired Manasa’s attitude. 

I met Manasa during the 2024 summer Sidekick boot camp. We were all tasked to create a multimedia package in one day as a team. Our group did well with getting interviews and visual media, but when I loaded the content on my computer to edit, my computer crashed and deleted everything.

I panicked. But Manasa stepped in, and we figured it out together.

To me, Manasa exemplifies the qualities of a leader. She radiates kind, encouraging and confident energy.

My favorite memory with Manasa was at the beginning of the 2024-25 school year when we were doing our Sidekick scavenger hunt with different locations around Coppell High School. I do not think the task would have been nearly as fun if Manasa had not made our group do silly poses at each of the locations. 

Being in class with Manasa over the past year, I have learned that stopping to take a deep breath is valuable in stressful situations.

So, in times when I might panic, I remember to channel my inner Manasa. At the end of the day, it really is all good, man.

Follow Elizabeth (@LizzieDeSanti_)  and @CHSCampusNews on X.