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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
Aliya Zakir

Aliya Zakir, Convergence Editor

Aliya is a senior, third-year staffer and the Convergence Editor of The Sidekick. An avid ChapStick applier, Aliya can be found buying more ChapSticks or re-applying ChapStick with the one stick she actually uses. You can contact her on Twitter @aliyafza.

All content by Aliya Zakir
Mehndi, or henna, is a form of body art often applied for celebratory purposes in South Asian, Middle Eastern and African cultures. The Sidekick’s convergence editor Aliya Zakir appreciates Mehndi for allowing her to re-establish her connection to her identity.

Redefining identity through mehndi

Aliya Zakir, Convergence Editor
May 19, 2023
Dupe culture has risen in popularity in recent years. The Sidekick’s executive editorial page editor Manasa Mohan thinks that dupe culture has created pressure to keep up with the newest trends and the accessibility of dupes has created a toxic culture possibly leading to an endless cycle of waste.

[Photo] Faux pas to faux chic

May 18, 2023
Coppell Middle School East art teacher Beth Dilley’s oil on canvas artwork “Through The Branches” is on display as part of the Coppell ISD Faculty Art Exhibition at the Coppell Arts Center. The exhibition, which is on display through May 20, features artworks of Coppell ISD faculty.

Coppell Arts Center highlighting district faculty art in exhibition

Aliya Zakir, Convergence Editor
May 5, 2023
Plugging in... Ramadan

Plugging in… Ramadan

Aliya Zakir, Aliza Abidi, and Sameeha Syed
April 7, 2023
Samae Copa co-owner Sean Houston carves a design into glassware on March 13. Samae Copa specializes in customized engraved glassware which Houston owns with his wife, Amy Houston.

[Photo] Corners of Coppell: Samae Copa carving a unique place within Coppell’s borders

March 25, 2023
Coppell sophomore Kimber Kerrigan bats against Plano West at the Coppell ISD Baseball/Softball Complex on Tuesday. The Cowgirls lost, 13-3, to the Wolves.

[Photo] Plano West conquers home district opener at Coppell

March 10, 2023
Joyce Welsh’s mixed media artworks “Prayer of Jude” and “Black Madonna” are on display as part of the Art as a Voice exhibition at the Coppell Arts Center. The exhibition, which is on display through Saturday, features artworks of regional Black artists to showcase African-American heritage, life, culture and experiences.

Art as a Voice exhibition spotlighting regional black artists

Aliya Zakir and Sannidhi Arimanda
March 3, 2023
Coppell High School technical theater director Grace Hellyer assists with creating a curtain for the UIL One-Act Play on Wednesday. Hellyer has taught technical theater for four years, with this year being her first at Coppell High School.

Teacher of the Week: Hellyer building holistic foundation into technical theater

Aliya Zakir, Convergence Editor
February 23, 2023
Lemon tart is a light, citrus-based dessert which can be made in less than two hours. With a few simple steps and ingredients, the dessert can be made for any occasion.

When life gives you lemons, make a lemon tart

Aliya Zakir, Convergence Editor
February 10, 2023
The DART Silver Line is under construction along Belt Line Road on Friday. DART’s Silver Line will feature an overhead bridge that will run over Belt Line Road and the line is expected to run by 2025.

[Photo] Silver Line to run through Coppell, providing community connections

February 9, 2023
Freezing rain and sleet fall and cover the streets of the Parkside Community in Irving on Tuesday. All administration buildings and schools in Coppell ISD are closed on Tuesday due to inclement weather and possible unsafe road conditions.

[Photo] Winter storm hits North Texas, district closes due to inclement weather

January 31, 2023
For seniors, tuition is a large factor to consider when committing to a college. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the official form to apply for federal financial aid to pay for college.

[Photo] Breaking down college tuition

January 20, 2023
CHS9 Student Council member Julia Córdoba gives a tour of CHS9 to Coppell Middle School North students on Thursday. Coppell ISD middle school eighth graders visited CHS9 this week to tour its campus and ease their transition to high school.

CHS9 welcomes class of 2027 to campus in tours

Aliya Zakir, Convergence Editor
January 20, 2023
Asking CHS… What did you do over winter break? (video)

Asking CHS… What did you do over winter break? (video)

Aliya Zakir and Sannidhi Arimanda
January 13, 2023
A proposal to relocate Coppell Baptist Church, the town’s first church built in 1948, along with its adjoining annex to make space for new multi-development complexes was considered at the Coppell City Council meeting on Tuesday. The council concluded that the church and annex will continue to reside in their current location.

[Photo] Old Town Coppell church to remain at current location

December 17, 2022
Highlighting Musicians: Jesayen channels Bollywood, carnatic singing in choir

Highlighting Musicians: Jesayen channels Bollywood, carnatic singing in choir

Aliya Zakir, Convergence Editor
December 15, 2022
Advocating for climate change legislation has been of relevance in recent years. The Sidekick executive editorial page editor Manasa Mohan thinks that though performative stunts do bring awareness, they catch the attention of social media more often than organizations that lobby for specific change.

[Photo] Climate change protesting has gone too far

December 12, 2022
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[Photo] Pro/Con: Do social media platforms reduce harm or is it the root behind it?

December 12, 2022
Hot Takes with The Sidekick: Should milk be poured before or after cereal? (video)

Hot Takes with The Sidekick: Should milk be poured before or after cereal? (video)

Aliya Zakir, Convergence Editor
December 7, 2022
Social media can be a helpful place to spread information. The Sidekick staff writer Aliza Abidi thinks social media can be used to our advantage to make a safer environment.

[Photo] Social media provides safety in millions

December 6, 2022
Thanksgiving with The Sidekick (video)

Thanksgiving with The Sidekick (video)

Aliya Zakir, Convergence Editor
December 5, 2022
Coppell High School sophomore Safiya Mohammed won CHS’s Hurricane Ian sticker design contest, organized by CHS art teacher David Bearden. The contest was open to all art department students and the top designs were sold as stickers, with all profits going to World Central Kitchen, providing meals to those affected by Hurricane Ian. Photo by Aliya Zakir

[Photo] Art department’s sticker design competition aiding in Hurricane Ian relief

November 28, 2022
Asking CHS…What are you thankful for? (video)

Asking CHS…What are you thankful for? (video)

Aliya Zakir and Sannidhi Arimanda
November 24, 2022
The Lariettes cheer on the Coppell football team before the game against McKinney at Buddy Echols Field on Nov. 11. McKinney defeated Coppell, 44-26, in the Class 6A Division II Region I bi-district playoffs on Friday at Buddy Echols Field. Photo by Aliya Zakir.

[Photo] Cowboys fall to McKinney in bi-district playoffs

November 18, 2022
Teachers accompanied members of the Coppell girls basketball team at their game against Cedar Hill at the CHS Arena on Tuesday. The Cowgirls defeated the Longhorns, 52-44.

Teacher Appreciation Night concludes in victory

Aliya Zakir, Convergence Editor
November 17, 2022
Coppell senior guard Jules Lamendola looks to make a pass against Cedar Hill at the CHS Arena on Tuesday. The Cowgirls defeated the Longhorns, 52-44. Photo by Aliya Zakir.

[Photo] Cowgirls make statement by defeating state-ranked Cedar Hill

November 16, 2022
Coppell High School junior Roma Jani rehearses a song during second period on Friday. Jani is an accomplished performer at CHS, currently participating in A Cappella, varsity mixed choir, and Madrigals. Photo by Aliya Zakir

[Photo] Student of the Week: Jani singing her way through the pressure of school

November 16, 2022
Amy Suttle’s clay sculpture “John Lewis,” inspired by her passion for advocacy, is on display as part of the 100 Miles exhibition at the Coppell Arts Center. The exhibition features artworks of artists within 100 miles of Coppell’s zip code, 75019, and will be on display until Nov. 19.

100 Miles exhibition spotlighting local artists beyond city limits

Aliya Zakir, Convergence Editor
November 10, 2022
English teacher Richard Orlopp’s students complete 15 minutes of reading during his third period for his IB English IV class on Oct. 26. Orlopp was selected as The Sidekick’s Volume 34 Issue 2 Teacher of the Issue.

[Photo] Teacher of the Issue: Orlopp hops through jobs before finding his calling

November 4, 2022
Video: A Day in the Life of A… Policy Debater

Video: A Day in the Life of A… Policy Debater

Aliya Zakir, Convergence Editor
October 31, 2022
Coppell Mayor Wes Mays with support of City Council Place 5 member John Jun proclamates October 21, 2022 as Korean Hanbok Day at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. Korean Hanbok Day was approved to encourage Coppell residents to celebrate Korean culture.

[Photo] Council declares Oct. 21 as Korean Hanbok Day, October as Arbor Day Celebration Month

October 26, 2022
Coppell High School Aquatic Science students test water pH in Cottonwood Creek at the Coppell Nature Park on Sept. 30. IB Environmental Systems & Societies leaders who led Aquatic Science students will report their findings to the Friends of Coppell Nature Park board on Nov. 7.

Aquatic, IB science classes localizing learning (with video)

Aliya Zakir, Convergence Editor
October 11, 2022
Teacher of the Week: Harrington implementing lifelong educator background into classroom

Teacher of the Week: Harrington implementing lifelong educator background into classroom

Aliya Zakir, Convergence Editor
October 6, 2022
Bubble artist Deni Yang performs a bubble trick at Sunday’s 1 p.m. performance of The Gazillion Bubble Show at the Coppell Arts Center. Yang comes from a family of bubble artists including his father, six-time Guinness Book of World Record holder Fan Yang.

[Photo] Gazillion Bubble Show blows audience away

October 4, 2022
Coppell High School Invent Universal Change (INVULC) junior vice president Ananya Balaji promotes membership to students in the Large Commons on Sept 20. CHS held its annual Club Expo during all lunches for students to explore the diverse clubs CHS offers.

Club Expo promoting diverse interests beyond the classroom

Aliya Zakir and Shreya Ravi
September 29, 2022
Coppell junior Allyson Keng serves in her doubles match against Hebron on Tuesday at the Coppell Tennis Center. Coppell defeated Hebron, 13-6.

Tennis serves triumph over Hebron

Aliya Zakir, Convergence Editor
September 26, 2022
Coppell High School juniors (top row) Mehak Gandotra, Sana Shine, Pranathi Kommaraju, Sahasra Bajjuri, (bottom row) Swati Kulshrestha, Nandini Petluti, Mahek Khandelwal and Akshadha Challa lead Think Kids, the youth chapter of international nonprofit organization: Think Peace. Currently, Think Kids is focused on a Cycle to School project with a goal of providing bicycles for children in India who live too far from school to walk, limiting their access to education.

[Photo] Thinking of kids outside our borders

September 15, 2022
Coppell High School junior drum major Lindsey Won conducts woodwinds during rehearsal on Sept. 1. Among other changes to form a culture reset, the 2022-23 band will feature a new pre-game show performed by both JV and varsity members.

[Photo] Marching band playing to a new tune

September 8, 2022

Go bananas for marbled espresso banana bread: a fall treat for the non-pumpkin-obsessed

Aliya Zakir, Convergence Editor
September 8, 2022
Coppell High School students in Anatomy and Physiology teacher Jodie Deinhammer’s seventh period class complete a post-lab assignment on Thursday. Anatomy and Physiology is a level 3 course offered at CHS educating students on the structures and functions of the human body.

Course Curiosity: Anatomy and Physiology Honors

Aliya Zakir, Convergence Editor
September 7, 2022
Indian Blanket flower is visited by a pollinating bee in the Coppell High School garden on Thursday. The CHS campus offers ample scenic locations as spring transitions to summer for students, faculty and visitors to enjoy.

CHS through a natural lens

Olivia Cooper, Sannidhi Arimanda, and Aliya Zakir
May 13, 2022
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