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Trisha Atluri

Trisha Atluri, Executive Entertainment Editor

Trisha is a senior at Coppell High School and the executive entertainment editor for The Sidekick. She enjoys playing ukulele and discovering new music in her free time. You can contact her at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter @trish_atluri.

All content by Trisha Atluri
Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth performs her album For the Girls in concert at the Coppell Arts Center on Saturday. The Takeoff Music Festival officially opens the arts center as a performance and entertainment venue for Coppell residents.

Chenoweth brings Broadway home

September 12, 2021
The Ballet Ensemble of Texas dances at the Old Town Pavilion on Thursday night at the Art Sip & Stroll. The event is an annual fundraiser hosted by the Coppell Arts Council, and this year it is celebrated in conjunction with the grand opening of the Coppell Arts Center.

Sip & Stroll’s return reinvigorates local art scene

September 10, 2021
The Coppell Arts Center is hosting its grand opening, the Takeoff Music Festival, from Thursday through Sunday. The festival will include performances by various local artists, actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth, country musicians Coffey Anderson and Matt Castillo, and magician Mike Super.

Arts center to highlight local, national artists in grand opening

September 8, 2021
Coppell senior middle blocker Aley Clent blocks against Euless Trinity at the CHS Arena on Tuesday. The Cowgirls swept the Trojans at Middle School Night, 25-11, 25-21, 25-10.

Coppell models Cowgirl fight at Middle School Night

September 3, 2021
Coppell senior middle blocker Aley Clent tips against Euless Trinity in the CHS Arena on Tuesday. As Coppell middle school volleyball players watched, the Cowgirls swept the Trojans, 25-11, 25-21, 25-10.

[PHOTO] Cowgirls sweep Trojans in front of program’s future

September 1, 2021
Coppell head band director Kim Shuttlesworth and color guard director Matthew Rummel conduct after school band rehearsal from atop the band director tower in the parking lot behind Buddy Echols Field on Thursday. Shuttlesworth was named the new Coppell ISD band director on April 26.

Shuttlesworth following love for music in mother’s footsteps

August 31, 2021
Theatre Denton’s production of “Matilda” is held at the Campus Theatre. The musical ran for three weekends this month, with Sunday’s matinee being the final performance.

Theatre Denton’s ‘Matilda’ energetically rejuvenates imagination

August 23, 2021
Coppell High School senior Christine Xu is ranked No. 9 in the CHS class of 2021. Xu will attend the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin in the fall.

Christine Xu

May 14, 2021
Lohiya transforming self-taught skill into inspired masterpieces

Lohiya transforming self-taught skill into inspired masterpieces

May 14, 2021
Munagapati codes his way into a career of designing

Munagapati codes his way into a career of designing

May 14, 2021
In today’s fast-paced world, many people forget the importance of a healthy diet, consistent sleep schedule, social interaction and sufficient exercise. The Sidekick social media manager Blanche Harris discusses the need for each of these factors in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

[PHOTO] Blanche’s guide to a happy, healthy life

May 13, 2021
The residents of a diverse town like Coppell are blessed with a variety of appearances and manners of speaking and style of dress. However, those who deviate from the norm are deemed irresponsible or unrespectable. The Sidekick advertising and circulation manager Trisha Atluri argues that this shouldn’t be the case.

Throw away the handbook of respectability

May 12, 2021
Canned food items are required for entry to the movie night hosted by the Coppell High School Earth and space science sixth period class on Friday in the CHS parking lot. This year, each astronomy and earth and space class at CHS organized a community project focused on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

[PHOTO] UN’s Sustainable Development Goals pushing astronomy, ESS to think locally

May 12, 2021
Common microaggressions against the Asian-American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community can snowball into violent hate crimes, as evidenced by the Atlanta spa shootings on March 16. The shootings sparked a nationwide reaction against racism and spurred local organizers into action.

[PHOTO] COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act passes following waves of anti-Asian sentiment

May 6, 2021
Coppell residents Narisa and Nyra James play the xylophone in the music and movement area of the Biodiversity Education Center during EarthFest on Saturday. EarthFest is an annual family-friendly event hosted by the City of Coppell to provide a platform for environmental education.

EarthFest attracts Coppell’s environmentally conscious

April 28, 2021
Coppell Middle School East Sustainability Club members talk to EarthFest attendees about recyclable materials on Saturday at the Coppell Nature Park. EarthFest is an annual family-friendly event hosted by the City of Coppell to provide a platform for environmental education.

Eco-friendly event celebrates Earth Day with pride

April 25, 2021
Coppell High School senior Vinay Munagapati draws a portrait in AP drawing teacher Michelle Hauske’s second period on Thursday. Munagapati is working on a horror maze video game and will pursue video game design at the University of Texas at Dallas in the fall.

[PHOTO] Unnamed but untamed: Munagapati developing, pursuing video games

April 23, 2021
The Biodiversity Education Center (BEC) is located in Wagon Wheel Park. On Saturday, Coppell residents can attend EarthFest at the BEC to learn about composting, recycling and environmental conservation.

EarthFest providing platform for environmental education

April 22, 2021
The Bandan Koro African Drum & Dance Ensemble performs at Lewisville City Hall on Saturday at ColorPalooza. The event celebrated spring with art demonstrations, food trucks, local vendors, musical performances and interactive experiences.

Culture blooms at Lewisville’s ColorPalooza

April 19, 2021
Coppell residents stretch to cool down today at Andy Brown Park East during the charity workout held by Get You In Shape Fitness. Donations go to the Taylor Storch Memorial Scholarship, which was founded by the family of the former Coppell Middle School East eighth grader Taylor Storch after her death in 2010.

“Purpose out of pain”: Charity workout honors Storch’s legacy

April 17, 2021
Coppell junior runner Aunna Aguirre and sophomore runner Lillian Egger practice relays at Buddy Echols Field on Thursday. On Friday and Saturday, the Coppell girls track and field team placed second at the District 6-6A Meet, while the Coppell boys placed fifth.

Track relinquishes district title in grueling meet

April 12, 2021
Coppell girls hurdlers compete at the Coppell Invitational on March 11 at Buddy Echols Field. On Friday and Saturday, the Coppell track and field team will defend its title in the Class 6-6A District meet at Marcus High School.

Track warming up to defend district title

April 8, 2021

[VIDEO] #Starworld: Jiang’s talent on piano captivates international audiences

April 2, 2021
CHS9 Student Council vice president Stella Chancellor leads her class for the 2020-21 school year. Chancellor’s responsibilities include helping to organize fundraisers and managing member fees.

Stella Chancellor

April 2, 2021
Are you a true Texan?

Are you a true Texan?

March 11, 2021
The CHS9 Sunshine Committee hands out donuts and coffee to faculty as they celebrate national “I Want You To Be Happy” day on Wednesday. The Sunshine Committee hosts events every year since 2018 to celebrate major life events and boost the morale of the staff.

Positive vibes only: Sunshine Committee raising spirits despite isolation

March 8, 2021
The Coppell ISD Board of Trustees approved changes to the 2021-22 school year’s calendar on Feb. 25. Changes include shifting the first day of school from Aug. 11 to Aug. 17 and reducing the number of school days from 176 to 174, while maintaining the required 75,600 minutes of student instruction.

District approves changes to 2021-22 calendar

March 5, 2021
IBM business development leader Jo Ann Hill’s passion for math and numbers drew her to computer science. She uses her programming skills to lead a racial justice initiative and serve as a co-director at GIGAWOT, a coding camp for girls.

Paving the way: Hill empowering minorities with STEM solutions

February 26, 2021
In celebration of Student Press Freedom Day, The Sidekick advertising and circulation manager Trisha Atluri delves into the world of student journalism with her experiences as a writer, photographer and designer. Atluri highlights the importance of student newspapers during unprecedented times.

#SJW2021: An oasis amidst desert

February 26, 2021
Staffers of The Roundup, which is the Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas’s student newspaper, serve their community through impactful articles written about local events. This week is Scholastic Journalism Week, and today’s focus is on the importance of local journalism.

[PHOTO] #SJW2021: Jesuit student journalists crafting deeper connections through local news

February 23, 2021
Stonemeade Estates is covered in snow on Sunday. Coppell High School administrators are supporting students and faculty through the power outages caused by the freezing temperatures.

[PHOTO] Administration providing off-campus support during power outages

February 19, 2021
Students taking the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) tests in April and May need to be present in person at CISD campuses. End of Course (EOC) assessments administered for high school credits include English I, English II, English III, algebra I, algebra II, biology and U.S. history.

[PHOTO] STAAR tests administered in person with precautions

February 19, 2021
Coppell High School senior Akhil Aitha plays the marching bass drum on Feb. 8 in the CHS parking lot outside the band hall. In addition to percussion, Aitha makes music outside of school by singing and producing beats on his computer.

From tragedy to melody: Aitha evolving in music creation

February 17, 2021
Coppell homes have been experiencing inconsistent power outages since Monday. Residents can use these tips to stay warm and conserve energy in the record low temperatures.

[PHOTO] Families utilizing resourcefulness as power outages strike city

February 17, 2021
Coppell residents and football fans can watch the Super Bowl live on Sunday. The Sidekick executive editor-in-chief Sally Parampottil unpacks the pomp and circumstance surrounding the game and shares tips on how to watch it like a pro.

[PHOTO] Coppell Observer: Super Bowl for Dummies

February 5, 2021
The percentage of religiously unaffiliated people in the United States has increased from 17% to 26% in 10 years. The Sidekick advertising and circulation manager Trisha Atluri believes that there is a negative stigma around atheism that should be removed.

Atheism is not amoral

February 4, 2021
Coppell High School junior Hari Srikanth delivers lectures at Artificial Intelligence Club meetings on Monday afternoons via Zoom. The AI Club has been making strides in the past two years to introduce students to coding through workshops, open discussions and guest speakers.

Coding the future: AI Club introducing students to world of machine learning

January 26, 2021
The Cowboy Theatre Company’s winter production “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten” is viewed by audiences online on Friday. The show applies childhood lessons to adult problems through a collection of scenes.

[PHOTO] Winter production inspires introspection

January 23, 2021
Coppell High School AP psychology teacher Kristia Leyendecker has worked at Coppell ISD since 2014. Leyendecker was inspired to get her teaching degree through her nine to 10 years of working in municipal government in Illinois, responsibilities in Human Resources and teaching Bible study.

Teacher of the Week: Leyendecker normalizing mental illness through caring guidance

January 22, 2021
Cookie dough bites are edible cookie dough hearts coated in chocolate. These heart-shaped treats are the perfect dessert for Valentine’s Day.

Bite into Valentine’s Day with edible cookie dough

January 21, 2021
Protesters stormed the Capitol last Wednesday after President Donald Trump’s Save America rally. The riot interrupted a congressional session where representatives were counting electoral votes to confirm Democrat Joe Biden’s presidential win.

[PHOTO] Capitol protests spark residents’ concerns about governmental legitimacy

January 12, 2021
Winter break starts Saturday for Coppell ISD. The Sidekick staff writer Manasa Mohan shares a list of popular winter-themed attractions in the Dallas-Fort Worth area for people to enjoy over the holidays.

[PHOTO] Celebrating winter season with outdoor DFW holiday attractions

December 18, 2020
Pro/Con: Is online learning effective?

Pro/Con: Is online learning effective?

December 10, 2020
Coppell ISD students began virtual learning on March 23 and resumed Aug. 17 with updated grading policies and attendance requirements. The Sidekick advertising and circulation manager Trisha Atluri discusses how increased flexibility provided by remote learning benefits virtual students.

Pro: Virtual learning provides school-life balance

December 10, 2020
Coppell senior defender Collin MacDonald defends Irving’s Luis Aguilera on Feb. 7 at Buddy Echols Field. MacDonald met Coppell senior defender Garrett Greaves in fourth grade when they joined the Andromeda Soccer Club together.

Childhood connections strengthening team relationships

December 8, 2020
The Cowboy Spur- Episode 7

The Cowboy Spur- Episode 7

December 7, 2020
Holiday celebrations are changing to comply with social distancing efforts this year. The Sidekick staff writer Nanditha Nagavishnu expresses gratitude for the comfort familiar traditions bring when the world around us is constantly fluctuating.

[PHOTO] Giving thanks: Holding on to holiday unity

November 20, 2020
Diwali takes place over five days, and this year it starts today and culminates on Monday. People celebrate Diwali with their families and decorate their homes with diyas to signify the triumph of good over evil and lightness over darkness.

District Diwali committee educating community about Hindu festival of lights

November 12, 2020
Texas native Jim Walker is running for Coppell City Council Place 5. Walker has served two terms as President of the Coppell ISD Education Foundation and co-chair of the Coppell Beast Feast and thinks his experience sets him apart from the other candidates.

Behind the Ballot: Jim Walker, City Council Place 5

November 3, 2020
Coppell senior co-captain Rishita Uppuluri approaches a forehand against Prosper on Monday night at T Bar M Racquet Club in Dallas. Coppell won 10-2, clenching the Class 6A Region I bi-district title and advancing to area later this week.

Tennis triumphs in bi-district match against Prosper

October 28, 2020
Coppell assistant Blaine Barnett passes during pregame warmups before the Cowboys’ 42-35 victory against Sachse on Oct. 2 at Buddy Echols Field. In addition to coaching football, Barnett teaches special education at Coppell High School.

Coach’s Box: Barnett setting example as father figure for student athletes

October 28, 2020
Declan McKenna released his sophomore album, Zeros, on Sept. 4. The Sidekick co-sports editor Anjali Krishna discusses the album’s riveting plotline and how it helps craft McKenna’s unique sound.

[PHOTO] McKenna’s ‘Zeros’ tours the galaxy

October 27, 2020
Coppell senior Kunal Seetha hits a forehand against Plano West on Sept. 25 at the CHS Tennis Center. Coppell will be playing Prosper in Class 6A Region I bi-district playoffs today.

Tennis to face off against Prosper in bi-district playoffs

October 26, 2020
Coppell High School assistant principal Brandon Girard dances on the senior bridge before school with English III teacher Sean Smith and honors chemistry teacher Courtney Crosby on Oct. 16. Girard returned to Coppell ISD after four years in Brookings, SD.

Girard’s return to district reunites old partnership

October 23, 2020
Seniors Riley Shultz and Emily Settle make comments on the color palettes in the 2021 Jostens Yearbook Lookbook in the yearbook room during seventh period on Oct. 1. Shultz is the managing editor for the people and sports section of the Coppell High School yearbook, The Round-Up.

Shultz designing final year of high school in yearbook

October 8, 2020
Social media is widely used by teenagers. The Sidekick student life editor Victoria Hertel discusses the ability of social media to increase awareness around mental health issues and strengthen long distance relationships.

[PHOTO] Pro: Social media provides sense of community, open-mindedness

September 25, 2020
Coppell ISD Trustee Leigh Walker discusses improving community engagement during the livestream of the CISD Board meeting on Monday. The meeting addressed the district’s focus on new communication and updates with the podcast.

District expanding community engagement with podcast, video series

September 29, 2020
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died from pancreatic cancer in Washington, D.C. on Friday. Ginsburg advocated against gender discrimination and was the second woman to serve on the Supreme Court.

[PHOTO] Fighting for justice for all

September 21, 2020
Coppell High School senior Naisha Gottipati delivers a donation of face shields to UT Southwestern Clements Jr. University Hospital on July 14. Gottipati started the nonprofit Healthcare Meals, Inc. to raise money, food, and personal protective equipment for hospitals in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Stepping up for healthcare workers

September 3, 2020
Many Coppell High School students are unaware of summer reading assignments until the day before the school year starts, causing them to cram. The Sidekick executive editor-in-chief Sally Parampottil discusses the difficulties of summer reading and compares students who insist on reading their novel before school begins and those who do not finish until after.

[PHOTO] Coppell Observer: Survival of the summer readers

August 25, 2020
Following the death of George Floyd, Coppell High School senior Ishita Sisodia finishes an oil painting on June 5 in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Local artists have put their talents to use by raising awareness and money for the movement through donation commissions and artwork.

Artists drawing support for racial justice

August 20, 2020
Graphic by Trisha Atluri Throughout the last 50 years, the number of voting women has steadily increased. Women were guaranteed the right to vote in 1920 with the ratification of the 19th Amendment.

[PHOTO] 100 years of women’s suffrage empowers today’s voters

August 19, 2020
The Sidekick advertising/circulation manager Trisha Atluri stays organized with her at-home workspace for the first day of online school on Monday. Due to COVID-19, Coppell High School students are learning remotely from home until Sept. 8, following Dallas County’s public health order.

[PHOTO] Unique desk spaces providing ideal environment to start remote learning

August 18, 2020
Coppell protesters stand against racism by supporting the Black Lives Matter movement behind City Hall on June 3. The Coppell community rallied together to spread awareness about BLM and fighting racial injustice.

Peaceful demonstration allows community to advocate for racial equality

June 4, 2020
Speed Typing

Speed Typing

May 16, 2020
Opening Ceremony

Opening Ceremony

May 16, 2020
CHS9 student Ashley Zhang displays her VASE medals at CHS9. Zhang is one of four Coppell students whose artworks received a gold seal at the state VASE competition.

Sweeping the competition

May 14, 2020
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