Upcoming Events
  • Coppell High School hosts Senior Sunrise at 6 a.m. on Wednesday at Buddy Echols Field.
  • Friday is CISD Night at the Ballpark: Texas Rangers vs. Cincinnati Reds game at Globe Life Field in Arlington at 7 p.m.
  • Coppell High School 2024 senior prom is at Dallas Market Center from 8 p.m.-12 a.m. on Saturday
The official student news site of Coppell High School

Coppell Student Media
The official student news site of Coppell High School

Coppell Student Media
The official student news site of Coppell High School

Coppell Student Media
Amelia Vanyo

Amelia Vanyo, Editor-In-Chief, Executive News Editor

Amelia is a senior and has been a part of The Sidekick for two years. This year she is serving as the paper's Editor-In-Chief and Executive News Editor. When she's not working on or editing a story she is usually rehearsing with the Youth Chorus of Greater Dallas. You can contact her at [email protected] or follow her on twitter @ameliavanyo.

All content by Amelia Vanyo
The Sidekick editor-in-chief Amelia Vanyo did not realize how much she would love journalism until she joined The Sidekick her junior year. After two years on staff, Vanyo has learned several lessons that have made her more successful than she ever could have hoped.

Placing purpose over profit

Amelia Vanyo, Editor-in-Chief
May 25, 2018
Coppell ISD director of student and staff services Dr. Shane Conklin discusses safety and security at Coppell ISD schools at the board meeting on Monday. Earlier in the meeting Coppell citizens Bryan Black and John Valentine spoke about the importance of school safety in the wake of the school shooting on May 18.

Trustees discusses school safety in wake of tragedy at Santa Fe HS

Amelia Vanyo, Editor-in-Chief
May 25, 2018
Coppell High School senior Grant Knippa practices trumpet in the CHS band hall practice rooms during sixth period. Knippa plans to attend New England Conservatory of Music in Boston to pursue a career in classical music.

Let the trumpets sound

Amelia Vanyo, Editor-in-Chief
May 22, 2018
A student does a jump on his scooter in the student parking lot as students are released after fourth period for eighth period release. In the student parking lot students can be seen walking to or from their cars listening to music, talking to their friends and looking at their phones all while dodging traffic.

The driving force behind campus security

Amelia Vanyo, Editor-in-Chief
May 4, 2018
Mansfield Timberview High School junior Jac Nguyen raises her poster at March for Our Lives in downtown Dallas on March 24. The march was attended by approximately 7,000 demonstrators in support of gun control and school safety.

This is what democracy looks like

Amelia Vanyo, Editor-in-Chief
April 11, 2018
Video: Sidekick staff pulls together to export issue five

Video: Sidekick staff pulls together to export issue five

Amelia Vanyo, Editor-in-Chief
April 10, 2018
Vape culture has become increasingly popular amongst adolescents and former cigarette smokers. As a result, small businesses, such as Freedom Vapes in Irving, have begun to pop up locally leading to an influx in vape pen sales.

Behind the cloud: Digging through the vaping industry locally, nationally

Gracie Blackwell and Amelia Vanyo
April 10, 2018
Nation-wide reaction to gun violence

Nation-wide reaction to gun violence

Amelia Vanyo, Editor-in-Chief
April 9, 2018
It could have happened to us

It could have happened to us

Amelia Vanyo and Kelly Wei
March 7, 2018
Sidekick editor-in-chief Amelia Vanyo began wearing bracelets to cover up self-harm scars in seventh grade. Now she wears them as a symbol of what she has overcome.

I was bullied because of my anxiety (with video)

Amelia Vanyo, Editor-in-Chief
February 2, 2018
I think with our current political environment and the misogynistic actions and remarks certain political leaders, celebrities and many others have made, it was really important for me to go because, me being a young woman, I wanted to support fellow women through the oppression and inequality that women face on a daily basis and fight for my own rights as well as the women of every race, nationality, religion and disability, CHS senior Abby Hymer said.

New year, same resolve, courage to march

Amelia Vanyo, Editor-in-Chief
January 22, 2018
CHS senior Ashna Pathan looks over the band during rehearsal before a competition last year. Pathan has held leadership positions in band throughout her time in high school and hopes to continue her career in music in college.

[Photo] Senior Spotlight

Jessica Hernandez, Staff Writer
December 12, 2017
The family of Coppell High School weightlifting coach and outdoor adventures teacher Bill Parker supports him at the Teacher of the Year ceremony in the CHS Arena on Dec. 4. Bill Parker was awarded as Teacher of the Year for 2017 for his exemplary work ethic and success as a teacher and coach.

Parker wins Teacher of the Year for charisma, inclusiveness

Amelia Vanyo and Claire Clements
December 4, 2017
Coppell Cowboys senior quarterback Brady McBride escapes Mesquite Horn freshman linebacker Kendrick Blackshire during the fourth quarter of the Class 6A Division I Region II area playoffs on Friday at Allen Eagle Stadium. The Cowboys advance to the next round of playoffs after defeating the Jaguars, 34-24.

Second half surge races Cowboys past Jaguars as state title dreams remain alive

Amelia Vanyo and Lili Lomas
November 25, 2017

Cowboys thank friends, family for support as they head into round two of playoffs (with video)

Lili Lomas and Amelia Vanyo
November 24, 2017
Pittsburg (Kan.) High School seniors Connor Balthazor, Patrick Sullivan, Kali Poenitske, Maddie Baden, Gina Mathew and and their adviser Emily Smith talk about the Booster Redux’s investigative adventure uncovering discrepancies in their principal’s resume leading to her resignation they had in March 2017. They led a session on Friday at the JEA/NSPA Fall High School Journalism Convention at the Hyatt Regency in Dallas, which is being attended by Sidekick newspaper, KCBY-TV and Round-Up yearbook staff members.

On the Spot: From students to speakers; “Pittsburg Six” take on Dallas convention as journalism celebrities

Amelia Vanyo, Editor-In-Chief
November 17, 2017
The Sidekick staff members attend the 2017 JEA/NSPA Fall National High School Journalism Convention’s opening ceremony at the Hyatt Regency Dallas on Nov. 16. Among nearly 5,000 other high school journalists, students are learning about how to become better journalists through various sessions led by professionals and educators in various fields at the convention.

[Photo] On the Spot: Journalists looking to go big at national journalism convention (with video)

Lili Lomas
November 17, 2017
Blurred circumstances: From campus to company, consequences for vaping cross loose lines

Blurred circumstances: From campus to company, consequences for vaping cross loose lines

Amelia Vanyo, Editor-In-Chief
November 9, 2017
The Coppell City Council discusses upcoming events in the Coppell community at its meeting on Tuesday at Town Center. The council agreed to move forward with a plan to construct a new arts center in Coppell, in addition to warning citizens about a company wrongfully claiming to represent the City of Coppell.

Coppell City Council moves forward on plan for Coppell Arts Center, prepares for the holidays

Amelia Vanyo, Editor-In-Chief
October 26, 2017
Coppell, Carrollton, Farmers Branch and Addison citizens have breakfast yesterday morning at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Coppelll. The Coppell Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2017 Red Ribbon Breakfast in order to spread awareness against the use of drugs.

On the Spot: Former ATF, SWAT agent warns against using drugs at Red Ribbon Week Kickoff Breakfast

Amelia Vanyo, Editor-In-Chief
October 25, 2017
Coppell High School seniors Maya Joseph and Payton Kirk pose on Sept. 8 during the first pep rally of the year wearing their senior overalls. Senior overalls are worn during the school day before Friday night home football games and have been a tradition among schools in Texas.

[Photo] Overalls tradition meant to be personal, rewarding experience

Tanya Raghu, Enterprise Editor
October 3, 2017
Pumpkin bread is a great go to fall treat. This recipe makes two loaves of raisin pumpkin bread for readers to enjoy.

Raisin Pumpkin Bread to spice up fall

Amelia Vanyo, Editor-In-Chief
September 21, 2017
Jund jumps into school year at Coppell High School (with video)

Jund jumps into school year at Coppell High School (with video)

Amelia Vanyo, Editor-In-Chief
September 18, 2017
A flag is held up at the rally Dallas Against White Supremacy on Aug. 19. America experienced weeks of violence and anger in the weeks leading up to Hurricane Harvey, but then turned and found their hearts once the hurricane hit.

Defining a country

Amelia Vanyo, Editor-In-Chief
September 14, 2017
Coppell Cowboys to face Allen Eagles head on with high hopes (video)

Coppell Cowboys to face Allen Eagles head on with high hopes (video)

Nicholas Pranske and Amelia Vanyo
September 13, 2017
At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Coppell Fire captain Brad Simpkins holds the signed proclamation signed by Mayor Karen Hunt naming September 2017 as “National Preparedness Month” in Coppell. “The more prepared that individual families and businesses are, the better. We’re pushing out public education information, throughout this month we will have distributions set up at the library, at the Core, Farmers Market, and we’ll also be visiting businesses throughout the city,” Simpkins said.

City Council approves “National Preparedness Month,” awards bid of reconstruction of Town Center Boulevard

Amelia Vanyo, Editor-In-Chief
September 13, 2017
Lakeside Life Center in Carrollton offers transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment to a wide variety of patients. During treatment, patients sit in a chair with a coil on their head sending magnetic pulses into a small part of their brain in order to regulate neurotransmission.

A new hope

Amelia Vanyo, Editor-In-Chief
September 12, 2017
Like many other gas stations in Coppell, the 7 Eleven at Sandy Lake and Denton Tap Rd was shut down due to a sudden demand for oil that exhausted their supplies. With gas prices as high as $2.59 citizens are rushing to their nearby gas stations to fill up their vehicles. Photo by Akif Abidi.

Retail gas stations fill with cars as gas prices rise

Amelia Vanyo, Editor-In-Chief
August 31, 2017
Coppell ISD has named Brad Hunt (pictured with Coppell ISD trustee Anthony Hill at a school board meeting last January) as the districts new superintendent. Hunt, who replaces Dr. Mike Waldrip, is a former CHS principal, teacher and CISD assistant superintendent.

CISD’s hunt for new leader ends with familiar face

Amelia Vanyo and Fiona Koshy
August 1, 2017
Popelka resigns from Coppell ISD board of trustees after one year

Popelka resigns from Coppell ISD board of trustees after one year

Amelia Vanyo, Editor-in-Chief
June 16, 2017
Coppell High School 2013 graduate Josh Escobar and and 2015 graduate Yvette Reyes protest the decision on the sexual assault case out from of the school Wednesday morning. Students and parents gathered out front of the school to show their support for the anti-bullying cause. Photo by Hannah Tucker.

Demonstrators gather outside CHS to show support of victim of alleged campus incident

Amelia Vanyo, Editor-in-Chief
June 1, 2017
Students and teachers pose with their pledge statement. They signed the pledge on r-word.org to stop saying the r-word. Photos by Amelia Vanyo and Katie Wiener.

Standardizing a slur: Use of “retard” in its pejorative form turns word into derogatory term

Amelia Vanyo, Staff Writer
May 25, 2017
Coppell High School senior Daniel Kim sings during Vivace! on Friday evening. Kim plans to continue his music career in college, where he will major in music in worship at Baylor University.

From high school choir to college musician: Kim to major in music in worship

Amelia Vanyo, Staff Writer
May 23, 2017
Coppell High School freshman Alice Alford plays her flute during first period band. Alford will be the youngest drum major for the 2017-18 school year. Photo by Amelia Vanyo.

Alford Advances: Rising sophomore chosen to be a 2017-2018 drum major

Amelia Vanyo, Staff Writer
May 22, 2017
A woman holds up a sign at the March for Science in Dallas on Saturday. People carried original signs, flags and globes at the march. Photo by Amelia Vanyo.

Scientists react: March for Science radiates positivity in show of support.

Amelia Vanyo, Staff Writer
April 25, 2017
Coppell High School junior Amelia Vanyo holds up her Mozart Opera Arias book out front of CHS. Vanyo has been singing for eight years and wants to study vocal performance in college. Photo by Bren Flechtner.

Where my passion and I collide

Amelia Vanyo, Staff Writer
April 21, 2017
Graphic by Thomas Rousseau.

In the eye of the hurricane: Convention serves as reminder that in the toughest of times, journalism is stronger than ever

Amelia Vanyo, Staff Writer
April 12, 2017
Coppell High School freshman Charlie Villalobos is a huge baseball fan and plays on a local team, as he also enjoys Spongebob, talking on the phone with friends and listening to music. Villalobos has Savant Syndrome, a condition that allows him to memorize things like people’s birthdays and song lyrics faster than others. Photo illustration by Amelia Vanyo.

The Birthday Boy: Freshman Villalobos a unique character of local baseball team

Amelia Vanyo, Staff Writer
April 12, 2017
The Coppell welcome sign near Highway 121 on Sandy Lake Road. The signs mark the entrance to the city. Photo by Amelia Vanyo.

Popping the bubble: What teens will remember about their great city

Amelia Vanyo, Staff Writer
April 5, 2017
Coppell High School senior Trey Beccera pitches during the first inning of the game against Lake Highlands on Friday night. Coppell won 14-1 at the Coppell Baseball Complex.

Cowboys settle into a win

Amelia Vanyo, Staff Writer
April 3, 2017
A bun at Little Steamed Buns Ramen in New York City. While they are named after their steamed buns, they are known for their hand cut noodles. Photo by Amelia Vanyo.

Big things to do in the Big Apple: A go to travelers guide to New York City

Amelia Vanyo, Staff Writer
March 26, 2017
Coppell High School senior outfielder Mia Hermans bats in the second inning against Richardson Berkner on Tuesday night. The Cowgirls defeated Berkner, 16-1, in four innings due to the mercy rule at the CISD Baseball/Softball Complex. Photo by Ale Ceniceros.

Showing no rust after layoff, Cowgirls lasso Lady Rams in convincing win

Amelia Vanyo, Staff Writer
March 23, 2017
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Orphan Train, The Sky is Everywhere, and We Were Liars are all must reads for teens. The books tackle real life dilemmas while weaving fanciful plots for readers to enjoy. Photo by Amelia Vanyo.

Book break: Good reads to catch up on during spring break

Amelia Vanyo, Staff Writer
March 10, 2017
Booker T. Washington sophomore Tanner Jackson sings and dances the night away on Feb. 28 during the dress rehearsal. Thursday night was opening night for “The Little Mermaid” at First United Methodist Church of Coppell. The show ran from March 2-4. Photo by Amelia Vanyo.

Local production of Little Mermaid is a sea of costumes, stage makeup (with video)

Amelia Vanyo, Staff Writer
March 7, 2017
Coppell High School senior Ken Simmons (Prince Eric) and junior Katie Love (Ariel) rehearse a scene in Act 1 of The Little Mermaid on Feb. 28. The production runs tonight through Saturday at First United Methodist Church of Coppell. Photo by Amelia Vanyo.

Swim over to First United Methodist Church’s production of “The Little Mermaid”

Amelia Vanyo, Staff Writer
March 2, 2017
Coppell High School junior Mihir Chadaga plays the english horn in a CHS band practice room on Wednesday afternoon. Chadaga has been playing the english horn since last year. Photo by Amelia Vanyo.

The whistler: Music offers Chadaga insight on human connection, personal expression

Amelia Vanyo, Staff Writer
February 23, 2017
Graphic by Thomas Rousseau

Germany Reacts: International review of President Donald Trump’s first few weeks in office

Amelia Vanyo, Staff Writer
February 17, 2017
Coppell High School junior midfielder Nicole Henry looks to pass the ball to forward Micayla Weathers during the first half of Tuesday night’s game against Lake Highlands. The Coppell Cowgirls claimed a 3-0 victory over the Lake Highlands Lady Wildcats. Photo by Amanda Hair.

Cowgirls take win in their bond, match against Lake Highlands

Amelia Vanyo, Staff Writer
February 1, 2017
(From left to right) Top row: senior Bilal Haque (bass clarinet), junior Jonah Gordon (tenor saxophone), senior Kyle Whiting (Eb clarinet). Third Row: freshman Andrew Tao (percussion), junior Mihir Chadaga (english horn), senior John Bishop (percussion). Second Row: junior Ishan Vengurlekar (trumpet), junior Grant Knippa (trumpet), sophomore Trevor Holmes (Trumpet).Front Row: junior Ashna Pathan (clarinet) and senior Seoyon Lee (flute). These band members are preparing to travel to San Antonio for the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Convention on Feb. 8-11. Each of them placed high enough to move on from the last round of the TMEA All State Process. Photo by Amelia Vanyo.

Hitting all the right notes: Coppell sends second most band students to music convention

Amelia Vanyo, Staff Writer
February 1, 2017
A woman holds a handmade sign while marching down West Congress Avenue during the Women’s March on Austin on Jan. 21. The march began at the Capitol, where a crowd of 50,000 people gathered in advocacy of women’s rights and civil rights. Photo by Meara Isenberg.

Big protest brings bigger success: March succeeds in giving women strength for next four years

Amelia Vanyo, Staff Writer
January 31, 2017
Graphic by Wren Lee

Imposters in the newsroom: Fake news sweeps nation, confuses readers

Amelia Vanyo, Staff Writer
January 17, 2017
Coppell High School sophomores Alarika Voora, Mahima Vermuri and Rithika Vijayaragavan gather in Chemistry teacher Chris Stricker’s classroom for their added eighth period this afternoon on the B Day of the test run of the block schedule. In this temporary eighth period, added due to the block schedule, freshmen and sophomores learned about coding and gained inspiration for future careers. Photo by Hannah Tucker.

Block schedule pilot wraps up on cold winter day (part 3 of 3)

Amelia Vanyo, Staff Writer
January 7, 2017
Coppell High School sophomores Akshaj Turebylu and Patrick Unnikrishnan work on homework in their designated classroom this afternoon after finishing their given eighth period activity on the B Day of the test block schedule on Thursday. In this temporary eighth period, freshmen and sophomores learned about coding and gained inspiration for future careers. Photo by Hannah Tucker.

Campus warms up to pilot schedule after slow morning commute (part 2 of 3)

Amelia Vanyo, Staff Writer
January 6, 2017
Coppell High School students with English or Fine Arts as their third period classes attended A lunch, the first lunch out of four with the block schedule, today in the cafeteria. With four lunches as opposed to the usual three, there were less students in each lunch period and the lunch lines were more efficient. Photo by Hannah Tucker.

Campus experiences first taste of new block schedule format (part 1 of 3) (with video)

Amelia Vanyo, Staff Writer
January 5, 2017
Graphic by Amelia Vanyo

Counterproductive conversation: Misusing vocab of mental illness undermines true meaning

Amelia Vanyo, Staff Writer
December 14, 2016
Cluttered

Cluttered

Amelia Vanyo, Staff Writer
December 2, 2016
Coppell High School head drum major Sam Wang directs the Coppell marching band on the Coppell High School practice field. The drum majors helped guide the band musically and emotionally to the UIL State Marching Band Finals which took place Wednesday, Nov. 9. Photo by Hannah Tucker.

Coppell marching band snags spot in state finals (with video)

Amelia Vanyo, Staff Writer
November 17, 2016
Coppell High School junior Ashna Pathan looks on as Coppell Marching Band warms up for its UIL Region 31 Marching Band Contest at Pennington Field in Bedford on Tuesday. The band took home sweepstakes for its competition show “Now I See.” Photo by Amelia Vanyo

Keeping up with a tricky tempo

Amelia Vanyo, Staff Writer
October 20, 2016
T-Shirt Epidemic

T-Shirt Epidemic

Amelia Vanyo, Staff Writer
October 17, 2016
Coppell High School homecoming queen, Rory, chats with a friend in her bitesized mum at the homecoming game. Mums were attached to girls shirts with pins throughout the day during the 1970 festivities. Photo curtesy of Coppell Yearbook.

Mum’s the word

Amelia Vanyo, Staff Writer
September 26, 2016
The Mercy Run: a run to remember

The Mercy Run: a run to remember

Amelia Vanyo, Staff Writer
September 22, 2016
Coppell High School senior libero Lauren Lee dives to save the ball from hitting the ground while junior defensive specialist Izzy Hall and junior outside and rightside hitter Amanda Colon try to rush to her aid at the varsity game against W.T. White Tuesday night in the arena. Photo by Hannah Tucker.

Cowgirls snatch up fourth district win in front of thrilled fans

Amelia Vanyo, Staff Writer
September 21, 2016
Coppell High School choir associate director Adam Gilliland warms up with the A Capella choir during Josh’s Brown fifth period class. A big competition (Texas Music Educators Association) takes place this February, Gilliland helps Brown and the choir to be successful. Photo by Ale Ceniceros

New Associate Director takes his place in Coppell Choir’s crescendo to success

Amelia Vanyo, Staff Writer
September 16, 2016
The annual St Ann’s carnival took place this past weekend, September 9 through 11, in the St Ann’s parking lot off Samuel Road. This year they obtained a new ferris wheel. Photo by Hannah Tucker.

A bright new spin on the St. Ann’s Carnival

Amelia Vanyo, Staff Writer
September 14, 2016
Coppell High School students walk across Denton Tap Road on Friday, September 9th. Photo by Sofía Guerrero

Construction on Denton Tap impacting student safety

Amelia Vanyo, Staff Writer
September 9, 2016
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