• CHS has Senior Awards at CHS Arena from 9-11 a.m. on Tuesday.
  • Seniors have Senior Day Picnic at Andrew Brown Park East at 11:45 a.m. on Tuesday.
  • Seniors have graduation at Buddy Echols Field at 7 p.m. on Friday.
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
Ishana Sharma

Ishana Sharma, Lifestyle & Wellness Editor

Ishana is a senior and the lifestyle and wellness editor for The Sidekick. In her free time she enjoys reading, listening to music, being outdoors and spending time with friends and family. She has a mixed breed dog named Snowie who was adopted in 2017. She loves iced coffee, Thai food, pasta and anything chocolate. Her favorite TV shows are Gossip Girl and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. You can reach out to her at [email protected].

All content by Ishana Sharma
Coppell High School senior Pavithra Vijayakumar serves as the president of Coppell Band. Vijaykumar has been a member of Coppell Band for four years, leading through determination and dedication.

Crescendoing to the coda

Ishana Sharma, Lifestyle & Wellness Editor
May 1, 2025
Denton Creek Elementary School was the 10th elementary school to open in Coppell and has been around for 18 years. Despite some changes being made this summer, the school remains deeply rooted in its long-standing traditions and events.

School of the Week: Timeless traditions rooted within new look

Ishana Sharma, Lifestyle & Wellness Editor
April 10, 2025
Coppell senior catcher Riley Warren bats against Flower Mound Marcus at Coppell ISD Baseball/Softball Complex on Wednesday. Marcus defeated the Cowgirls, 5-3. Photo by Ishana Sharma

[Photo] Cowgirls’ bats go cold in 5-3 loss against Marcus

Akshaya Ashokanand, Staff Writer
March 27, 2025
Participants practice mindfulness meditation in the Cozby Library and Community Commons meeting room. The Cozby Library hosted its monthly Mindfulness Practice session led by Sheela Singla on Sunday.

Living in the moment through mindfulness

Ishana Sharma, Lifestyle & Wellness Editor
March 10, 2025
An exercise routine can vary from person to person. The Sidekick staff photographer Rachel Chio believes that building an exercise routine can help maintain a healthy physical and mental well-being.

[Photo] Establishing your ideal workout routine

Rachel Chio, Staff Photographer
March 6, 2025
Coppell juniors Liam Spiller and Luke Brinck celebrate a goal against Denton Braswell on Feb. 4 at Buddy Echols Field. The Cowboys defeated Braswell, 3-1.

Goals from Naef, Mendez, Spiller lead to district victory

Naila Ali and Ishana Sharma
February 13, 2025
Coppell High School junior Ananditha Arasu runs Radiant Ripple Foundation, a nonprofit organization promoting mental and physical health for today's youth. Arasu works to help raise awareness on the importance of adolescent health. Photo illustration by Leana Paradis and Shrika Elma

Arasu rippling across mental, physical health awareness among youth

Ishana Sharma, Lifestyle & Wellness Editor
February 3, 2025
Coppell senior guard Bryce Ward sets up the Cowboys offense against Frisco Centennial on Tuesday at CHS Arena. The Coppell boys basketball team defeated Centennial, 75-59.

Dominating with focus: Fast start leads to win over Centennial

Ishana Sharma, Lifestyle & Wellness Editor
December 12, 2024
Coppell High School seniors Aishwarya Anandkumar and Divya Sharma play pickleball at the tournament hosted by Think Kids Yuva at the CHS tennis courts on Nov. 21. Pickleball has helped strengthen bonds among the Coppell community.

[Photo] Pickleball uniting players of all ages

Rachel Chio, Staff Photographer
December 12, 2024
Vanessa Younts, Erik Rodriguez, Tiffany Bryan, Jim Barber and Lucas Rodriguez perform “Sleigh Ride” in the Main Hall. The Coppell Community Orchestra held its holiday concert “Sounds Like Holiday Spirit” at the Coppell Arts Center on Sunday.

[Photo] Community orchestra performs with holiday spirit

Yoshita Sanivarpu, Photographer
December 10, 2024

Organizing your page for success

Ishana Sharma, Lifestyle & Wellness Editor
November 20, 2024
Many students stress over their grades and use most of their time to study. The Sidekick Lifestyle & Wellness editor Ishana Sharma explores different learning styles to help make studying efficient. Graphic by Siri Kondabathini

How do you learn?

Ishana Sharma, Lifestyle & Wellness Editor
October 21, 2024
Megabus discontinued its Texas routes effective Aug. 16. This bus line was used by many Coppell High School students and graduates, who now seek new methods to commute. Photo courtesy Megabus.

Megabus discontinues operations in Texas

Ishana Sharma, Lifestyle & Wellness Editor
October 4, 2024
The Coppell tennis team clinched the District 5-6A title and advances to next week’s Class 6A playoffs. Coppell defeated Flower Mound Marcus, 16-3, at the Coppell Tennis Center on Tuesday. Photo courtesy Alyssa Noonan.

Tennis wins district title with undefeated run

Ishana Sharma, Lifestyle & Wellness Editor
October 2, 2024
With the increased use of short content for entertainment, teenagers’ attention spans are declining over the years, writes The Sidekick staff designer Ahana Roy. In this column, Roy shares ways to regain focus and increase attention spans.

[Photo] Attention spans withering through screens

Ahana Roy, Staff Designer
September 27, 2024
Coming back from summer break, productivity can be a struggle for students. Lifestyle and wellness editor Ishana Sharma thinks taking steps to build a schedule can help busy teens to find success.

Make the most of your time

Ishana Sharma, Lifestyle & Wellness Editor
August 28, 2024
New Tech High @ Coppell launched its first online news site, The Newcomer, on Feb. 21. NTH@C sophomore Olivia Guerra and freshman Arjun Madhu are the co-editors-in-chief of the program. Photo by Ishana Sharma

[Photo] New Tech reporting for duty with The Newcomer

Nrithya Mahesh, Staff Designer
May 9, 2024
Yuvan Sampath placed third at the 2024 International Career Development Conference on April 30 in Anaheim, Calif. This is the first time that Coppell has had a DECA glass trophy winner.

Sampath wins third place, making Coppell DECA history

Ishana Sharma, Staff Writer
May 8, 2024
Senior Aidan McFarlane will attend Stanford University in the fall to run track at the collegiate level. McFarlane has been running track since seventh grade at Coppell Middle School North. Photo courtesy Eric Hill

Hurdling to the finish line: McFarlane chasing dreams to Stanford

Ishana Sharma, Staff Writer
April 30, 2024
CHS9 student Anjana Pericharla is an International Career Development Conference DECA qualifier and was awarded a medal for advancing to finals at the Texas State Development Career Conference on Feb. 17 in Houston. Pericharla is the only Coppell freshman to advance to the highest level of competition.

Starting strong: Pericharla as only freshman advancing to ICDC

Ishana Sharma, Staff Writer
April 9, 2024
Robbie Moen is in his first year as Coppell softball coach. Moen comes to Coppell from Coatimundi Middle School in Arizona where he served as athletic director.

Moen pitching new ideas as softball head coach

Ishana Sharma, Staff Writer
March 26, 2024
Karen Duke is Coppell ISD’s new executive director of human resources. Duke has led human resource teams at various school districts for the past 17 years, and started working for CISD on Feb. 12, replacing Kelly Mires.

[Photo] Duke’s dream as new district HR director

Aasritha Yanamala, Staff Designer
March 20, 2024
Coppell High School hosted the TSA regional competition on Jan. 26-27. This year,120 students from Coppell advanced to the state level. Photo courtesy Tanvi Nikam.

Coppell dominates at TSA regionals

Ishana Sharma, Staff Writer
March 5, 2024
Coppell High School seniors Tisya Yadav, Aryan Bansal, Anusha Narway and Abhilash Katuru were named as four of the 1,514 semifinalists in the Coca-Cola Scholarship out of a pool of 103,800 students nationwide for their excellence and skills. On Jan. 11, Narway and Katuru were selected as two of the 250 advancing regional finalists. 150 Coca-Cola scholars receive a $20,000 scholarship for any school-related expenses.

Take a sip: 4 CHS semifinalists chosen for Coca-Cola Scholarship

Pranavi Ramineni, Anushree De, Katie Park, and Ishana Sharma
February 8, 2024
The expanding reliance on technology in everyday life tends to overshadow the simplicity of traditional paper. The Sidekick staff writer Ishana Sharma discusses the transformation of the addition of digital methods and the widespread effect it has had on people.

Paper: My irreplaceable academic companion

Ishana Sharma, Staff Writer
February 8, 2024

The Talk: Microtrends and Overconsumption at CHS

Nrithya Mahesh, Kavya Lokhande, Ishana Sharma, and Wendy Le
January 29, 2024
Academic pressure and competitiveness in high school can be very harmful to students. The Sidekick staff writer Ishana Sharma details how academic pressure puts students down.

Academic competitiveness demotivates rather than motivates

Ishana Sharma, Staff Writer
January 24, 2024
Though live-action films are beautiful, they lack magic that can only be produced with animation, no matter how hard studios try. The Sidekick staff writer Ishana Sharma thinks that the removal of beloved characters and the lack of emotion and personality greatly affects the film and its representation of the original story.

Column: Live-action movies don’t bring real-life magic

Ishana Sharma, Staff Writer
December 5, 2023
Coppell ISD Board trustee Leigh Walker discusses district updates at a meeting Monday in the Vonita White Administration Building. The board talked about future plans on campus modernizations, mental health programs, and district funding.

Board implements new restorative practices, outlines future renovation plans

Ishana Sharma, Staff Writer
November 14, 2023
Coppell Mayor Pro Tem Biju Mathew proclaims May as National Water Safety Month on the behalf of the Coppell City Council on Tuesday night at the Town Center. Members of The CORE will be handing out pamphlets regarding water safety programs and rules for Coppell Residents.

[Photo] Council celebrates Cowgirls basketball, proclaims May as two different safety months

Nyah Rama, Staff Writer
May 10, 2023
New Tech Model U.N. president Tejas Bhatia provides feedback to Model U.N. members on Monday at New Tech High @ Coppell on their pro-con speeches. Bhatia is a member of the Model U.N., winning 13 regional, state and international awards in the span of three years as well as qualifying for the Model U.N. international conference.

[Photo] Bhatia exemplifies the model in Model U.N.

Nrithya Mahesh, Staff Designer
October 27, 2023
New restaurant San Daniele provides both indoor and outdoor seating to its customers. San Daniele opened in Coppell on Aug. 28, giving a taste of Italy to Coppell residents. (Ishana Sharma)

[Photo] San Daniele Italian Eatery: Bust or trust?

E V Kennard, Staff Writer
October 31, 2023
Students fill Coppell High School’s main hallway during third passing period on Aug. 15. Coppell ISD has added two minutes to each class period to adjust to a new Texas Education Agency (TEA) policy. Photo by Kayla Nguyen

Two minutes added to each high school class period to comply with TEA

Ishana Sharma, Staff Writer
October 17, 2023
The strong inclination society has to perfectionism enables unhealthy habits and mindsets in people, according to staff writer Ishana Sharma. This especially affects high school students who go through many lengths to get as close to “perfect” as possible. Sohalia Reddy

Perfectionism hinders progress

Ishana Sharma, Staff Writer
October 12, 2023
Coppell High School algebra II and pre-calculus teacher Laila Kamel teaches students to complete the square in her algebra II class. Kamel was previously a CHS alum and worked at Google and IBM before coming back to Coppell. Anushree De

Teacher of the Issue: Kamel’s call back to Coppell

Ishana Sharma, Staff Writer
September 28, 2023
The Coppell High School Band practices in the CHS parking lot on Sept. 7 with temperatures hitting 104 degrees. High temperatures have hit Coppell throughout the summer.

Campus adjusts to adapt to extreme heat

Ishana Sharma, Staff Writer
September 13, 2023
Former Coppell High School weightlifting coach and outdoor adventures teacher Bill Parker demonstrates judo blocking techniques with sensei Mark Randolph during his class at Jita Kyoei Dojo on March 6. Following his retirement from teaching in 2019, Parker went on to become the head instructor for all martial arts at Jita Kyoei Dojo at the CHS Wrestling Center. Photo by Sahasra Chakilam.

Judo teaching more than self-defense

Ishana Sharma, Staff Writer
May 15, 2023
ADA and Capital Programs coordinator Kori Allen presented the accessibility of Coppell’s curb ramps, shown by her examples on Plantation and Magnolia Drive. The Coppell City Council met on Tuesday night, to follow up on Coppell’s status on its directional curb ramps. Photo by Rhea Choudhary

City to improve on directional curb ramps

Ishana Sharma, Staff Writer
April 26, 2023
Austin Elementary School kindergarten teacher Ginny Kaur and instructional coach Sabrina Khan interview a potential candidate for a teaching position at Austin Elementary. The Coppell ISD Job Fair was held on Saturday at Coppell Middle School West where prospective employees were screened and interviewed for open positions in the district.

District Job Fair sees significant increase in turnout

Ishana Sharma, Staff Writer
April 3, 2023
Coppell ISD assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction Dr. Angie Brooks talks about the continued partnership with the School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) during the discussion of counseling support updates. The CISD Board of Trustees meeting on Monday discussed cybersecurity as well as counselor training and policy updates. Photo by Sahasra Chakilam

Board covers new technology updates, counseling and support and safety updates

Ishana Sharma, Staff Writer
March 31, 2023
Coppell High School senior cheer manager Abigail Berhe works behind the scenes to support the cheer team. Berhe is the first CHS cheer manager and assisted in supporting the team in the National Cheer Association competition. Photo by Sameeha Syed.

Cheer manager role offers Berhe best of both worlds

Ishana Sharma, Staff Writer
March 29, 2023
Your Own Sidekick is a Sidekick series where staff members answer questions and offer advice on various topics. Stories will be posted weekly on Fridays.

Your Own Sidekick: How to stay motivated in school

Ishana Sharma, Staff Writer
February 17, 2023
Coppell High School senior Vrishti Jain is the 2022-23 DECA vice president. Jain has been involved in DECA for four years and advanced to International Career Development Conference (ICDC) for the past two years.

Jain’s business savvy paying off as DECA VP

Ishana Sharma, Staff Writer
January 17, 2023
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

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

Ishana Sharma, Staff Writer
November 16, 2022
Coppell ISD launched its Community Based Accountability System (CBAS) on Sep. 15 to measure CISD’s improvements as a district in several areas. The Sidekick Staff writer Ishana Sharma has the story with the details about the system. Graphic by Nrithya Mahesh.

CISD releases new accountability system to help each learner achieve success

Ishana Sharma, Staff Writer
November 7, 2022
Coppell freshman Black football players Karim Alfarwati and Godson Osuju watch the freshmen game against Hebron on Oct. 20. Alfarwati has played football since eighth grade and plays on a tight and defensive end.

Childhood memory transforms into Alfarwati’s new passion

Ishana Sharma, Staff Writer
November 2, 2022
Coppell Community Orchestra violinist Masahiko Ikeshita shows Mockingbird Elementary third grader Sameeksha Chada how to hold a violin during the Kaleidoscope festival at Andy Brown Park East on Saturday. Coppell’s annual Kaleidoscope festival highlights the diversity of the community through a display of art, culture and music.

Community celebrating cultural diversity through Kaleidoscope

Shreya Ravi and Ishana Sharma
October 14, 2022
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