Upcoming Events
  • Coppell Student Media publishing resumes Aug. 15
  • Congratulations to the Class of 2023!
  • Have a great summer, Coppell High School
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
Sri Achanta

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor

Sri Achanta is a junior and the executive news editor for The Sidekick. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with friends, reading fantasy novels and spending time with her family. You can contact her by email at [email protected] or by Twitter @sriachanta_.

All content by Sri Achanta
The fentanyl crisis recently leaked into educational spaces. Coppell High School student resource officers are now training in the use of Narcan, a drug utilized to aid in opioid overdose, in order to protect students from fentanyl and other drug-related crises.

The silent killer

Angelina Liu, Sri Achanta, and Manasa Mohan
May 19, 2023

Yaamini Jois

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
May 18, 2023
Meghna Kulkarni

Meghna Kulkarni

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
May 18, 2023
Saniya Koppikar

Saniya Koppikar

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
May 18, 2023
Manasa Mohan

Manasa Mohan

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
May 18, 2023
Shrayes Gunna

Shrayes Gunna

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
May 18, 2023

Angelina Liu

Sri Achanta , Executive News Editor
May 18, 2023
Capturing Coppell is a Sidekick series detailing events involving Coppell High School and Coppell ISD happening this week. It will be posted every Monday for the rest of the 2022-23 school year.

Capturing Coppell: 5/15 – 5/21

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
May 15, 2023
On Saturday, shots fired in Allen Premium Outlets left nine dead with seven others injured. Allen Premium Outlets, located about 30 minutes away from Coppell, is closed indefinitely after the incident.

Shooting at Allen Premium Outlets leaves nine dead

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
May 12, 2023
Capturing Coppell is a Sidekick series detailing events involving Coppell High School and Coppell ISD happening this week. It will be posted every Monday for the rest of the 2022-23 school year.

Capturing Coppell: 5/8 – 5/14

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
May 8, 2023
Capturing Coppell is a Sidekick series detailing events involving Coppell High School and Coppell ISD happening this week. It will be posted every Monday for the rest of the 2022-23 school year.

Capturing Coppell: 5/1 – 5/7

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
May 1, 2023
Coppell resident Ranna Raval is a candidate running for Place 4 on the Coppell ISD Board of Trustees. Raval is an advocate for easy access to education for all children.

Place 4: Ranna Raval

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
April 26, 2023
Irving resident Jobby Mathew is a candidate running for Place 7 on the Coppell ISD Board of Trustees. Matthew is an advocate for building educational programs to prepare learners for the future. Jobby Mathew

Place 7: Jobby Mathew

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
April 26, 2023
Coppell resident Julie Waters is a candidate running for Place 5 on the Coppell ISD Board of Trustees. Waters is an advocate for district funding and finding a way to retain teachers.

Place 5: Julie Waters

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
April 26, 2023
Coppell resident Samit Patel is a candidate running for Place 4 on the Coppell ISD Board of Trustees. Patel is an advocate for finding a way to retain teachers.

Place 4: Samit Patel

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
April 26, 2023
Coppell resident Jonathan Powers is a candidate running for Place 4 on the Coppell ISD Board of Trustees. Powers is an advocate for fiscal transparency. Jonathan Powers

Place 4: Jonathan Powers

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
April 26, 2023
Coppell resident David Caviness is the incumbent Place 5 Coppell ISD trustee running for reelection. Caviness is an advocate for better teacher retention measures.

Place 5: David Caviness

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
April 26, 2023
New Tech High @ Coppell senior Aman Chiniwala embraces his Lakeside Elementary fifth grade Math/Science teacher Melissa Warren after his speech honoring her. Coppell ISD held its annual student recognition banquet commending the top 5 percent of the graduating class on Tuesday.

Top 5 percent graduating seniors honored at annual Academic Recognition banquet

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
April 26, 2023
Behind the Ballot: Coppell ISD Board of Trustees election

Behind the Ballot: Coppell ISD Board of Trustees election

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
April 26, 2023
Capturing Coppell is a Sidekick series detailing events involving Coppell High School and Coppell ISD happening this week. It will be posted every Monday for the rest of the 2022-23 school year.

Capturing Coppell: 4/24 – 4/30

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
April 24, 2023
Coppell Pinkerton Elementary School Physical Education teacher Colleen Michaelis talks to the Coppell High School junior class at CHS Arena about her experience losing her son to fentanyl abuse. As fentanyl use and overdose cases rise in high schools and near Coppell, CHS raises awareness through a mandatory assembly about its fatality.

A pill that kills

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
April 17, 2023
Capturing Coppell is a Sidekick series detailing events involving Coppell High School and Coppell ISD happening this week. It will be posted every Monday for the rest of the 2022-23 school year.

Capturing Coppell: 4/17 – 4/23

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
April 17, 2023
Capturing Coppell is a Sidekick series detailing events involving Coppell High School and Coppell ISD happening this week. It will be posted every Monday for the rest of the 2022-23 school year.

Capturing Coppell: 4/10 – 4/16

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
April 10, 2023
Coppell sophomore Nevaeh Carter scores against Lewisville at the Coppell ISD Baseball/Softball Complex on Tuesday. The Cowgirls lost, 13-3, to the Farmers.

[Photo] Cowgirls fall to Farmers in district play

April 8, 2023
The Sidekick Crossword: April 6

The Sidekick Crossword: April 6

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
April 6, 2023
Capturing Coppell is a Sidekick series detailing events involving Coppell High School and Coppell ISD happening this week. It will be posted every Monday for the rest of the 2022-23 school year.

Capturing Coppell: 4/3 – 4/9

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
April 3, 2023
On Feb. 13 the Coppell ISD Board of Trustees voted to approve the proposed bond package to be a referendum on the ballot for the May 6 election. The bond package totals $321.511 million and includes renovations to athletic facilities, the addition of fine arts buildings, lifecycle replacements of technology for students and staff and improvements to campus security.

Building for tomorrow

Manasa Mohan and Sri Achanta
March 31, 2023
Coppell High School juniors Anish Kalra, Dhroov Pathare and Trishay Naman placed second in the Biomedical Engineering category at the Texas State Science and Engineering Fair on March 25. Both Coppell teams placed second in their respective categories. Dhroov Pathare

CHS doubles up on second placements at state science fair

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
March 29, 2023
Capturing Coppell is a Sidekick series detailing events involving Coppell High School and Coppell ISD happening this week. It will be posted every Monday for the rest of the 2022-23 school year.

Capturing Coppell: 3/27 – 4/2

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
March 27, 2023
Coppell senior pitcher Andrew Schultz pitches against Marcus at Coppell ISD Baseball/Softball Complex on Tuesday. Coppell lost, 5-0, to Marcus.

[Photo] Cowboys unable to keep up with Marauders in loss

March 23, 2023
Twenty-five Coppell High School DECA members qualified for the International Career Development Conferences on March 11 in Dallas. ICDC qualifiers will travel to Orlando, Fla. on April 22-25 to compete with students around the globe.

[Photo] Coppell DECA sets finalist record at state, sends 25 to ICDC

March 22, 2023
Capturing Coppell is a Sidekick series detailing events involving Coppell High School and Coppell ISD happening this week. It will be posted every Monday for the rest of the 2022-23 school year.

Capturing Coppell: 3/20 – 3/26

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
March 20, 2023
Coppell ISD is evaluating the idea of a four-day school week starting in the 2024-25 school year. Various neighboring school districts have also been considering this option over the course of the past few months.

CISD explores abridged week for 2024-25 school year

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
March 14, 2023
Capturing Coppell is a Sidekick series detailing events involving Coppell High School and Coppell ISD happening this week. It will be posted every Monday for the rest of the 2022-23 school year.

Capturing Coppell: 3/06 – 3/12

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
March 6, 2023
Coppell High School sophomore Sophie Depew performs “Stealing Souls” in CHS Auditorium on Saturday. CHS and Coppell Middle School percussion students presented their annual Purely Rhythmic show featuring guest artist CJ Menge. Photo by Sri Achanta

[Photo] Purely Rhythmic creates tropical dream in steel pan performance

March 5, 2023
Coppell High School sophomore Melora Dominic created artworks titled “Floral Photoshoot” and “Fading.” Dominic qualified for State VASE for her art piece “Floral Photoshoot” last year and continues to use art as her creative outlet.

[Photo] Student of the Week: Dominic channels creativity through art

March 2, 2023
On Friday, Coppell Student Media was announced as a finalist for a 2023 Online Pacemaker award from the National Scholastic Press Association. This marks the eighth time CSM has been a finalist for the award. Photo courtesy NSPA

Student journalists soar to new heights, land coveted NSPA finalist nomination

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
February 27, 2023
Capturing Coppell is a Sidekick series detailing events involving Coppell High School and Coppell ISD happening this week. It will be posted every Monday for the rest of the 2022-23 school year.

Capturing Coppell: 2/27 – 3/05

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
February 27, 2023
Coppell High School junior Hannah Greenberg processes DNA in an agar gel to a readable strand to be sent to sequencing at Monson neurology lab at UT Southwestern in August. Greenberg looks to pursue an occupation in the medical field. Photo Courtesy Hannah Greenberg

Greenberg carving biomedical pathway through hands-on research

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
February 25, 2023
Capturing Coppell is a Sidekick series detailing events involving Coppell High School and Coppell ISD happening this week. It will be posted every Monday for the rest of the 2022-23 school year.

Capturing Coppell: 2/20 – 2/26

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
February 20, 2023
Coppell senior forward Lillian Edger takes possession from Plano junior midfielder Madison Chapel on Monday at Buddy Echols Field. With a 3-0 victory, the Coppell girls soccer team ended its losing streak, and plays against Lewisville next week.

Cowgirls fight back with 3-0 win against Plano

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
February 14, 2023
Capturing Coppell is a Sidekick series detailing events involving Coppell High School and Coppell ISD happening this week. It will be posted every Monday for the rest of the 2022-23 school year.

Capturing Coppell: 2/13 – 2/19

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
February 13, 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: Comparison is the thief of joy

Sri Achanta, Executive News 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.

Silver Line to run through Coppell, providing community connections

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
February 9, 2023
Capturing Coppell is a Sidekick series detailing events involving Coppell High School and Coppell ISD happening this week. It will be posted every Monday for the rest of the 2022-23 school year.

Capturing Coppell: 2/6 – 2/12

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
February 6, 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.

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

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
January 31, 2023
Coppell High School junior Olivia Willey performs in CHS Cowboy Theater Company musical production “Mamma Mia!” Willey takes on the lead role in short film Spencer Stone is in the Building, marking a major acting endeavor.

Stepping onto the silver screen, Willey lands role in short film

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
January 30, 2023
Capturing Coppell is a Sidekick series detailing events involving Coppell High School and Coppell ISD happening this week. It will be posted every Monday for the rest of the 2022-23 school year.

Capturing Coppell: 1/30 – 2/5

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
January 30, 2023
Capturing Coppell is a Sidekick series detailing events involving Coppell High School and Coppell ISD happening this week. It will be posted every Monday for the rest of the 2022-23 school year.

Capturing Coppell: 1/23 – 1/29

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
January 23, 2023
Capturing Coppell is a Sidekick series detailing events involving Coppell High School and Coppell ISD happening this week. It will be posted every Monday for the rest of the 2022-23 school year.

Capturing Coppell: 1/16 – 1/22

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
January 16, 2023
Capturing Coppell is a Sidekick series detailing events involving Coppell High School and Coppell ISD happening this week. It will be posted every Monday for the rest of the 2022-23 school year.

Capturing Coppell: 1/9 – 1/15

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
January 9, 2023
In 2021, Texas state representative Matt Krause drafted a list of potentially controversial books that he suggested be banned from libraries across the state, some of which are available to read in the Coppell High School library. Krause created this list as an auxiliary to House Bill 3979, which banned curriculum that discusses any topics of discomfort, including critical race theory.

“We have the right to read”

Manasa Mohan, Angelina Liu, and Sri Achanta
December 22, 2022
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.

Old Town Coppell church to remain at current location

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
December 17, 2022
Coppell junior Karissa Godhia and freshman Elizabeth Anne Urick practice on Thursday at the Coppell Field House. The Cowboys placed a first at the Coppell Round-Up with a score of 5-0 on Nov. 18.

[Photo] Wrestling secures 5-0 win at Coppell Round-Up

December 12, 2022
Capturing Coppell is a Sidekick series detailing events involving Coppell High School and Coppell ISD happening this week. It will be posted every Monday for the rest of the 2022-23 school year.

Capturing Coppell: 12/12 – 12/18

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
December 12, 2022
Capturing Coppell is a Sidekick series detailing events involving Coppell High School and Coppell ISD happening this week. It will be posted every Monday for the rest of the 2022-23 school year.

Capturing Coppell: 12/5 – 12/11

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
December 5, 2022
Coppell High School math teacher Ian VanderSchee was named CHS 2022 Teacher of the Year. Nominees were announced on Monday and the winner was announced this morning at the CHS faculty meeting in the Auditorium. In addition to VanderSchee, nominees include AP Biology teacher Bianca Benitez, AP World History teacher Connor Blake, AP Chemistry teacher Courtney Crosby, Government teacher Michael Erickson, Head Band Director Kim Shuttlesworth, The Sidekick adviser Chase Wofford and STEM teacher Michael Yakubovsky.

[Photo] VanderSchee announced as CHS Teacher of the Year from pool of eight

November 30, 2022
Capturing Coppell is a Sidekick series detailing events involving Coppell High School and Coppell ISD happening this week. It will be posted every Monday for the rest of the 2022-23 school year. Graphic by Srihari Yechangunja.

Capturing Coppell: 11/28 – 12/4

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
November 28, 2022
The Sidekick executive news editor Sri Achanta gives thanks to her older sister, Laasya, for paving a path and supporting her through her endeavors. Her gratitude comes from being referred to as “Laasya’s little sister” for most of her life. Photo courtesy Sri Achanta

Giving Thanks: Learning to love the shadow

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
November 25, 2022
Capturing Coppell is a Sidekick series detailing events involving Coppell High School and Coppell ISD happening this week. It will be posted every Monday for the rest of the 2022-23 school year.

Capturing Coppell: 11/21 – 11/27

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
November 21, 2022
Capturing Coppell is a Sidekick series detailing events involving Coppell High School and Coppell ISD happening this week. It will be posted every Monday for the rest of the 2022-23 school year.

Capturing Coppell: 11/14 – 11/20

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
November 14, 2022
Dallas Jesuit senior Elliot Huang hands Coppell voter Martha Aviles a sticker on Election Day on Tuesday at Coppell Town Center. Texas Midterm Election results have been finalized.

Brooks defeats Coppell local Fisher in state education board election

Sri Achanta and Yaamini Jois
November 11, 2022
Coppell ISD Education Foundation President Jobby Mathew (right) is the newly appointed Place 7 for the Coppell ISD Board of Trustees. Mathew will be sworn in on Monday and serve until May 2023, when a special election will be held for Place 7. Photo courtesy Jobby Mathew

Mathew appointed Place 7 trustee

Yaamini Jois and Sri Achanta
November 8, 2022
Capturing Coppell is a Sidekick series detailing events involving Coppell High School and Coppell ISD happening this week. It will be posted every Monday for the rest of the 2022-23 school year.

Capturing Coppell: 11/7 – 11/13

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
November 7, 2022
Capturing Coppell is a Sidekick series detailing events involving Coppell High School and Coppell ISD happening this week. It will be posted every Monday for the rest of the 2022-23 school year.

Capturing Coppell: 10/31 – 11/6

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
October 31, 2022
Breaking down the ballot: Texas Governor

Breaking down the ballot: Texas Governor

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
October 27, 2022
Breaking down the ballot: Lieutenant Governor

Breaking down the ballot: Lieutenant Governor

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
October 26, 2022
Coppell junior Alexandra Cooper swims butterfly during the 25-yard butterfly competition at the Coppell Family YMCA on Oct 14. The annual Vaquero Battle featured cannonball, bellyflop and relay intersquad competitions along with other activities to garner student participation.

[Photo] Coppell swimming teams gives its all at annual Vaquero Battle

October 25, 2022
Breaking down the ballot: Texas Attorney General

Breaking down the ballot: Texas Attorney General

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
October 24, 2022
Capturing Coppell is a Sidekick series detailing events involving Coppell High School and Coppell ISD happening this week. It will be posted every Monday for the rest of the 2022-23 school year.

Capturing Coppell: 10/24 – 10/30

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
October 24, 2022
Breaking down the ballot: Texas State Board of Education District 14

Breaking down the ballot: Texas State Board of Education District 14

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
October 21, 2022
Breaking down the ballot: Texas House District 115

Breaking down the ballot: Texas House District 115

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
October 20, 2022
Breaking down the ballot: Texas Senate District 12

Breaking down the ballot: Texas Senate District 12

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
October 18, 2022
Coppell ISD trustee Tracy Fisher resigned from her position at Monday night’s Board of Trustees Meeting. Fisher served as a trustee for nearly 11 years and is running for State Board of Education.

Fisher resigns from CISD Board of Trustees

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
October 18, 2022
Breaking down the ballot: U.S. House District 24 Elections

Breaking down the ballot: U.S. House District 24 Elections

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
October 17, 2022
Coppell junior Ananya Balaji directs the band at the Coppell vs. Flower Mound Marcus football game at Buddy Echols Field on Oct. 7. Balaji has been in band for six years and was named a drum major for the 2022-2023 school year.

Student of the Week: Balaji conducting band to success

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
October 17, 2022
Capturing Coppell is a Sidekick series detailing events involving Coppell High School and Coppell ISD happening this week. It will be posted every Monday for the rest of the 2022-23 school year.

Capturing Coppell: 10/17 – 10/23

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
October 17, 2022
Capturing Coppell is a Sidekick series detailing events involving Coppell High School and Coppell ISD happening this week. It will be posted every Monday for the rest of the 2022-23 school year.

Capturing Coppell: 10/10 – 10/16

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
October 10, 2022
Capturing Coppell is a Sidekick series detailing events involving Coppell High School and Coppell ISD happening this week. It will be posted every Monday for the rest of the 2022-23 school year.

Capturing Coppell: 10/3 – 10/9

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
October 3, 2022
Coppell senior middle hitter Allie Stricker spikes against Plano at Coppell High School Arena on Friday. The Cowgirls defeated Plano 25-9, 25-22, 25-12.

Coppell ends round one of district with victory against Plano

Sri Achanta, Executive News Editor
October 2, 2022
Load More Stories

Coppell Student Media

The official student news site of Coppell High School
Sign In
About Us And Policies
Staff
© 2023 • FLEX Pro WordPress Theme by SNO • Log in