• 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
Kayla Nguyen

Kayla Nguyen, Sports Photography Editor

Kayla is a senior and the sports photography editor for The Sidekick. Her favorite part of student journalism is the interesting places it has allowed her to venture to, such as The Star in Frisco and Choctaw Stadium.

She loves music, with some of her favorites being Noah Kahan, Frank Ocean and Phoebe Bridgers. She enjoys trying out new coffee shops with friends, with her favorite drinks being an iced white mocha matcha and a coconut latte. Kayla loves taking photos in and out of The Sidekick, with one of her favorite pastimes being running her digital camera portfolio on Instagram (@kaylasdigicams).

You can contact Kayla through email at [email protected] or on Instagram (@kaylagnguyen).

All content by Kayla Nguyen
Coppell High School senior Joseph Kysiak plans to pursue plumbing after high school. CHS students pursue a variety of pathways after graduation.

[Photo] Seniors trekking onto unique trails post-graduation

Yug Talukdar, Assignment Editor
May 8, 2025
Coppell senior midfielder Summer Chen drives past Lake Travis junior forward Amelia Clark at Birkelbach Field in Georgetown on April 12. The Cowgirls defeated Lake Travis, 6-2, to win the Class 6A Division I state championship for the first time in 10 years. Photo by Kayla Nguyen.

Decade in making

Kayla Nguyen, Sports Photography Editor
April 23, 2025
Coppell senior defender Summer Chen scores a goal off a free kick in the second half at Birkelbach Field on Saturday. The Coppell girls soccer team defeated Lake Travis, 6-2, to win the Class 6A Division I state championship for the first time in 10 years. Photo by Kayla Nguyen.

[Photo] Best in business: Chen lifts Cowgirls to state championship

Namir Awan, Sports Editor
April 13, 2025
Coppell midfielder Summer Chen chases down the ball in the Class 6A Division I Region I semifinals en route to a 4-1 victory over Keller on March 28. The Cowgirls play Lake Travis in the Class 6A Region I State Championship at Birkelbach Field in Georgetown on Saturday at 4 p.m. Photo by Kayla Nguyen

[Photo] Rematch: Cavaliers, Cowgirls set stage for state championship

Namir Awan, Sports Editor
April 10, 2025
Coppell junior defender Brooks Kaiser and Coppell junior goalkeeper Chase Anderson listen to the Plano West student section following a loss to the Wolves at Children's Health Stadium on Tuesday. The Wolves defeated the Cowboys 1-0 in the Class 6A Division I Region I finals. Photo by Kayla Nguyen.

[Photo] Playoff comeback magic disappears as Wolves end championship dreams

Namir Awan, Sports Editor
April 3, 2025
Coppell senior forward Luis Mendez-Gil receives a pass on the Cowboys’ left wing at Buddy Echols Field on March 21. The Cowboys defeated Prosper in a 3-3 match with a 4-2 advantage in the shootout in the Class 6A Division I bi-district playoffs. Photo by Kayla Nguyen.

PK pressure

Kayla Nguyen and Raima Awan
April 1, 2025
Coppell junior forward Neerali Kapadia scores the Cowgirls’ final goal of the match in the second half at Dragon Stadium on Friday. The Cowgirls defeated Keller, 4-1, in the Class 6A Division I Region I semifinals. Photo by Kayla Nguyen

[Photo] Kapadia, Morales domination sets matchup with familiar foe

Namir Awan, Sports Editor
March 30, 2025
The Coppell boys soccer team celebrates junior defender Luke Brinck’s goal against Prosper at Buddy Echols Field on Friday. The Cowboys play Irving at 8 p.m. on Tuesday at Buddy Echols Field in the Class 6A Division I quarterfinals. Photo by Kayla Nguyen.

[Photo] Cowboys look to tame Tigers in second round

Namir Awan, Sports Editor
March 25, 2025
Coppell junior defender Brooks Kaiser battles for possession against Prosper on Friday night at Buddy Echols Field. Coppell advances to the Class 6A Division I regional quarterfinals after winning the 3-3 match with a 4-2 advantage in the shootout. Photo by Kayla Nguyen

[Photo] Comeback Cowboys moving on following thrilling shootout victory

Namir Awan, Sports Editor
March 24, 2025
Coppell junior defender Brooks Kaiser shoots at Buddy Echols Field on March 7. The Cowboys defeated Flower Mound, 2-1, in their last home match of the District 5-6A season. Photo by Kayla Nguyen.

Cats in the bag

Kayla Nguyen, Sports Photography Editor
March 14, 2025
Coppell senior Karsten Lowe sprints through the blocks as he places fourth in the varsity boys 100-meter dash on Wednesday at Buddy Echols Field. Coppell track and field took home first place overall in both boys and girls divisions at the Coppell Relays. Photo by Isabella Callegaro Santos.

Racing past competition in another sweep of home relays

Kayla Nguyen, Rhea Chowdhary, Raima Awan, and Isabella Callegaro Santos
March 14, 2025
The Coppell boys soccer team celebrate a game-winning goal by senior forward Luis Mendes on March 7 at Buddy Echols Field. The Cowboys emerged as District 5-6A champions for the first time in nine years. Photo by Kayla Nguyen.

[Photo] History in making: Cowboys looking to cap off season with state title

Elizabeth De Santiago, Staff Writer
March 14, 2025
Coppell High School HOSA senior Monica Tupurani and juniors Jessica Rae Paulino, Vi Moya, Anju Smriti Anand and Joy Kim competed in the Texas HOSA Spring Leadership Conference on Feb. 21-22. The Texas HOSA SLC Area 3 competition was held at Tyler Legacy High School. Photo courtesy Mihika Patki.

On to Round Rock: HOSA advances 50 qualifiers to state

Kayla Nguyen, Sports Photography Editor
March 11, 2025
Coppell junior forward Liam Spiller breaks past Flower Mound senior defender Andrew Ritzert and junior defender Oliver Marrujo to score the first goal of the match for the Cowboys during the first half. The Cowboys defeated the Jaguars, 2-1, at Buddy Echols Field on March 7. Photo by Kayla Nguyen

[Photo] Late goal clinches win against Flower Mound

Yug Talukdar, Assignment Editor
March 9, 2025
Coppell junior track and field athlete Noah Schuller hurdles before sunrise on Jan. 28 at Buddy Echols Field. Coppell High School’s thriving sports culture is driven by the dedication of student athletes and their pursuit of victory. Photo by Kayla Nguyen.

[Photo] Price of perfection

Neha Nathwani, Staff Writer
February 10, 2025
Coppell senior forward J McGill, in a match last season against Plano East, is currently injured but is expected to return soon to the Cowboys. As a Red Jacket, a soccer captain, and theater lead, McGill has become one of the faces of CHS. Photo by Kayla Nguyen

[Photo] Persistent drive: From soccer star to stage performer

Namir Awan, Sports Editor
February 5, 2025
Coppell senior midfielder Caden Naef and Hebron senior defender Mason Hatley fight for possession at Buddy Echols Field on Tuesday. The Cowboys and Hawks ended in a 0-0 draw. Photo by Kayla Nguyen.

[Photo] 90 minute fray against Hebron ends in 0-0 draw

Yug Talukdar, Assignment Editor
January 22, 2025
Coppell junior guard Isaiah Fleming scores a layup at CHS Arena on Tuesday. The Cowboys play Denton Guyer in the CHS Arena at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.

[Photo] Consistency key in preparation for showdown

Rhea Choudhary, Executive Features Editor
January 16, 2025
Hebron senior point guard J'Lyn Jenkins guards Coppell sophomore guard Robert Watson at CHS Arena on Tuesday. The Hawks defeated the Cowboys in overtime, 83-81.

[Photo] Beat by the buzzer: Hebron escapes with OT victory

Elizabeth De Santiago
January 15, 2025
Winter brings fresh Coppell sports into season. Coppell coaches are looking with optimism towards new seasons and opportunities. Graphic by Kayla Nguyen.

[Photo] Winter sports gusting in optimism

Yug Talukdar, Assignment Editor
December 16, 2024
Coppell senior guard Drew Wagner hustles back on defense after a successful bucket by Coppell on Tuesday against Richardson on Tuesday at CHS Arena. Wagner’s adaptability and leadership has aided him in overcoming adversity throughout his basketball career. Photo by Kayla Nguyen

[Photo] Wagner energizing team with leadership

Namir Awan, Sports Editor
December 19, 2024
Richardson senior small forward Ashton Hawkins guards Coppell sophomore guard Robert Watson at CHS Arena on Tuesday. The Eagles defeated the Cowboys, 61-59. Photo by Kayla Nguyen

[Photo] Wagner’s sparks fall short

Raima Awan
December 5, 2024
Coppell senior cornerback Zachary Durbin embraces his mother, Rachel Durbin, following a loss to North Crowley at Vernon Newsom Stadium on Saturday. The Panthers defeated the Cowboys, 35-24, in the Class 6A Division I Region I semifinals. Photo by Kayla Nguyen

[Photo] State championship run screeches to halt

Namir Awan, Sports Editor
December 2, 2024
Coppell senior quarterback Edward Griffin looks to throw against Lake Highlands on Nov. 22 at John Clark Stadium. Coppell plays North Crowley at 2 p.m. Saturday at Mansfield's Vernon Newsom Stadium in the Class 6A Division I Region I semifinals. Photo by Kayla Nguyen

[Photo] State-ranked powerhouses clash in regional semifinal showdown

Namir Awan, Sports Editor
November 30, 2024
Coppell senior running back O’marion Mbakwe evades Lake Highlands sophomore defensive back Holden Layne on Friday at John Clark Stadium. The Cowboys defeated the Wildcats, 38-10, in the Class 6A Division I Region I area playoffs. Photo by Kayla Nguyen

[Photo] Domination in second round sets up biggest game of season

Namir Awan, Sports Editor
November 25, 2024
Coppell senior wide receiver Harry Hassmann holds off Prosper sophomore linebacker Fahd Allan at Buddy Echols Field on Nov. 15. The Cowboys defeated Prosper in the Class 6A Division I Region I bi-district playoffs, 35-27. Photo by Kayla Nguyen.

Cowboys clip Eagles’ wings

Kayla Nguyen and Rhea Chowdhary
November 22, 2024
rosper junior linebacker Cade Smallwood tackles Coppell senior wide receiver Harry Hassmann on Nov. 15 at Buddy Echols Field. The Cowboys play Lake Highlands on Friday in the Class 6A Division I Region I area playoffs. Photo by Kayla Nguyen.

[Photo] State championship journey goes to Plano

Namir Awan, Sports Editor
November 21, 2024
Coppell senior running back Josh Lock evades the Prosper defense to score a touchdown at Buddy Echols Field on Friday. The Cowboys defeated the Eagles in the Class 6A Division I Region I bi-district Playoffs, 35-27.

[Photo] Fishpaw ends a night of comebacks

Namir Awan, Sports Editor
November 18, 2024
Coppell senior running back Joshua Lock outruns Prosper junior safety Logan Thompson and sophomore linebacker Fahd Allan to score a touchdown on Friday night at Buddy Echols Field. The Cowboys beat the Eagles 35-27. Photo by Kayla Nguyen

[Photo] Seniors keep championship dreams alive in playoffs round one

Nyah Rama, Editorial Page Editor
November 17, 2024
Coppell senior wide receiver Tucker Cusano breaks a tackle on Nov. 1 at Neal E. Wilson Jaguar Stadium. The Cowboys defeated the Jaguars, 42-14, securing their spot as District 5-6A champions. Photo by Kayla Nguyen.

Cowboys juke Jaguars, secure District 5-6A championship

Kayla Nguyen and Nyah Rama
November 8, 2024
Coppell senior quarterback Edward Griffin stiff arms Flower Mound junior safety Corbin Ridenour on Friday at Neal E. Wilson Jaguar Stadium. The Cowboys defeated the Jaguars, 42-14. Photo by Kayla Nguyen

[Photo] District champions reign again

Namir Awan, Sports Editor
November 4, 2024

Lassoing unique foods at the State Fair of Texas (video)

Rhea Chowdhary, Sabah Uddin, and Kayla Nguyen
October 25, 2024
Coppell senior defensive lineman Blake Isbell tackles Lewisville junior running back Tenel Hill at Max Goldsmith Stadium on Oct. 18. Isbell is a crucial piece to the Cowboys defense this year.

[Photo] Climbing up the ladder

Sabah Uddin, Communications Manager
October 25, 2024
Coppell senior quarterback Edward Griffin drops back to pass against Lewisville at Max Goldsmith Stadium on Oct. 18. The Cowboys play Denton Braswell at Buddy Echols Field on Friday at 7 p.m.

[Photo] Cowboys look to secure playoff spot against Bengals

Nyah Rama, Editorial Page Editor
October 25, 2024
The Coppell defense tackles Lewisville senior tight end Gabriel Lewis as he fights for yardage at the 40-yard line. The Cowboys beat the Farmers, 55-28, at the Max Goldsmith stadium on Friday.

[Photo] Griffin, Cowboys use second half to send Farmers out to pasture

Namir Awan, Sports Editor
October 20, 2024
Coppell senior safety Alex Kraus and senior outside linebacker Matthew Neitzel celebrate a fumble recovery against Denton Guyer at C.H. Collins Athletic Complex on Oct. 4. The Cowboys play Lewisville at Max Goldsmith Stadium on Friday at 7 p.m.

[Photo] The battle for No. 1

Namir Awan, Sports Editor
October 18, 2024
Coppell senior running back O’Marion Mbakwe breaks through the banner prior to kickoff against Waxahachie at Stuart B. Lumpkins Stadium on Sept. 6. Mbakwe plays a significant role in the Cowboys’ offense, showcasing his work ethic on and off the field.

[Photo] Running through hardships

Namir Awan, Sports Editor
October 15, 2024
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