Dear freshman, your individuality matters

Aarnav Munji, Katie Park, and Aditi Narayangari • April 22, 2026

During the course of high school, it can be challenging to express yourself as you try to fit in. The Sidekick lifestyle/wellness editor Katie Park, staff photographer Aditi Narayangari and staff designer Aarnav Munji share the importance of finding out your identity and embracing individuality.

“Dear Freshmen” is a series where a sophomore, junior and senior staff member each give personal anecdotes along with advice about a certain topic with the aim of helping the incoming sophomores and current freshmen.

In this edition of Dear Freshmen, The Sidekick staffers advise about how to follow the things you find interesting, even if it forces you to not follow the crowd. Read more to find out what they have to say:

Aarnav Munji, Staff Designer

I strolled through the aisle and plopped down onto my regular seat on the bus and boldly announced my decision to my friend, “I’m planning to continue on with The Sidekick next year.” It was the final day to select your courses and my friend alarmedly looked at me and asked “Why? Aren’t you worried that it’ll take up too much space?”

It wasn’t just him. I’ve heard numerous voices over the past few months judging me for the things I’ve decided to pursue.

Their opinions never concerned me too much because I’m following what I’m truly passionate about, design. By joining this program, I found the perfect intersection of my passions, technology and design, presenting me with the opportunity to design digital interfaces.

I’ve redesigned parts of CoppellStudentMedia.com to improve its aesthetic and added new features to increase functionality of the website. Additionally, I’ve now learned how to use new software, such as Adobe Illustrator, to design graphics.

Entering Coppell High School next year, your goal should be exploring and discovering the things you are passionate about. As you step foot onto campus, some of you will know exactly what makes you you, while others will have no clue.

No matter what stage of self-discovery you’re in, it is never too late to try new things and see what you enjoy. What matters most is to choose pathways reflecting who you are and who you want to be.

Don’t get me wrong, I also plan carefully for the future, but I still strive to take risks in my daily life. It is OK to try something new, even if you do not follow the crowd.

I challenge you to set aside your academic tensions, your peer pressures and other concerns to try something new and see how it changes you as a person.

Aditi Narayangari, Staff Photographer

“Will I ever be the person I used to be?”

This is a question I’ve asked myself many times over the course of my high school years.

I used to write often during my middle school years. For me, writing was how I got my thoughts out. Having all these ideas in my head without an outlet was almost suffocating, so at 13, I made that decision that I thought was cliché: I purchased a notebook from the nearest stationary store.

As soon as I got that notebook, I wrote constantly, like a machine, for hours on end. I escaped from reality through this world that resembled a magnificent fantasy. As I started to get older, those long hours turned into minutes, subtly waning to the point where by the time high school rolled around, I forgot I had it.

Years later, out of boredom, I returned to creative writing. The written world of possibilities and pencil marks. As I continue writing, alone in my room, I feel a return to my creative, imaginative self.

When you abandon your passions to make room for studying and extracurriculars, you end up insecure and stressed. Your ideas feel inadequate. Worn down by the exhaustion school brings, you lose your spark, and in that, yourself.

Going through the pressure to be this fake, approachable version of myself with no guidance led to me scrambling for inner stability. I was alone and clueless, clutching on to the last bits of hope I had.

That changed when I decided that giving up my hobbies and my mental health just to conform was exhausting.

My ideas started to blossom, and made my place in a world where I felt too small. I felt like I was worth it. I no longer feared the judgement I thought I would face.

I had found myself again.

Freshmen, it’s hard when you’re expected to zero in on everything else but yourself. But choosing to express yourself in a way that makes you feel like yourself is the best way to honor yourself, especially when everything feels uncertain. That individuality will carry you through so many different stages of life.

Choose yourself before you lose yourself.

Katie Park, Lifestyle/Wellness Editor

I remember thinking, “Who even am I?”

This past summer, I spent my time partaking in every rising senior’s worst dread.

I would have much rather spent my time elsewhere, but I was unfortunately busy with college applications.

Though tedious, I found it interesting writing responses for the general question, “Tell me about yourself.”

For a while in my early years of high school, I did not have a true grasp of who I was. I was constantly chasing trends, following popular opinions and remaining quiet though I disagreed with my friends. I never truly understood the concept of having different interests, never attempting to seek them out.

However, it was only when I discovered my passion for fashion design my sophomore year that I found the value of individuality.

Designing clothes allows me to express my personal style in an authentic way, channeling my innermost personality in a tangible manner. I love the joy and exhilaration of forming a completely unique design from my own mind.

While designing and making my senior prom dress from scratch, I realized how much happier I am following my personal aspirations rather than worrying about others’ opinion. I felt more like myself, more confident in my identity.

In the end, my college essay filled with my authenticity got me into my dream university.

Freshman, do not be afraid to be yourself or your beliefs. You only have so much time before the adult world to discover who you are, so don’t waste it.

I used to be a girl in hiding, but now, I am the girl who made her own prom dress.

Follow @CHSCampus on X.

About the Contributors

Aarnav Munji, Staff Designer

Aarnav Munji is a sophomore at Coppell High School and a first year designer at The Sidekick. He decided to join the program to explore more into his interests of designing and building graphics. He’s interested in using Adobe Illustrator to draw more. In his free time, he enjoys gaming silly couch coop games and puzzle platformers. He also enjoys participating in other activities like debate, robotics, and TSA. You can contact him at [email protected] or [email protected].

Katie Park, Lifestyle/Wellness Editor

Katie Park is a senior and the lifestyle and wellness editor for The Sidekick. She enjoys writing stories and taking photos for the program. Her favorite part of The Sidekick is talking to new people with different interests and learning about journalistic skills and techniques. Her favorite artist is Laufey and her favorite songs include soft melodic jazz. She loves fashion designing and making her own clothes. In the future, her dream is to continue her fashion aspirations alongside pursuing medicine. You can contact her via email at @[email protected] or on Instagram (@katiegpark)

Aditi Narayangari, Staff Photographer

Aditi Narayangari is a junior and second-year staff photographer for The Sidekick. Growing up, she always had a passion for journalism. From watching the news every morning to reading Apple News articles in her free time, she threw herself into the world of reporting. When the opportunity to do the same presented itself as an elective for her sophomore year schedule, she knew she wanted to seize it. She loves to take photos, but throughly enjoys opinion columns. In her spare time, she sings, listens to Kali Uchis and Amy Winehouse, and continues to seek out news articles to read. As a big Wikipedia rabbit-hole enthusiast, she loves to learn about niche historical events and is passionate about history as a whole. if you’d like to reach out, contact Aditi through email ([email protected]) or on Instagram (aditi.n.08)

Dayami Granados, Staff Photographer

Dayami Granados is a junior and a second-year staff photographer for The Sidekick.

Her interests consist of photography, writing poems, playing games and watching movies or shows in her spare time.

She enjoys listening to music and loves sharing with others. She recommends: “All They Wanted” by Panchiko, “If You Can’t Hang” by Sleeping With Sirens and “Tren Al Sur” by Los Prisioneros.

She’s a junior leader in the photography club at Coppell High School and a part of Coppell High School Speakers Association.

She loves her 6-year-old cat Mina dearly and holds a motherly bond with her.

You can contact her through email ([email protected])

Coppell Student Media

Coppell Student Media

Coppell Student Media

Dear freshman, your individuality matters

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