• The Cowboy Theatre Company shows The Old Man and the Moon in the Black Box at Coppell High School Thursday through Saturday.
  • CHS takes its senior panoramic picture at 10 a.m. on Wednesday
  • Coppell High School hosts signing day for athletes at 8 a.m. on Wednesday
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
Karen Lu

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor

Karen is a senior and the Daily News/Assignment Editor on staff. In her free time, she enjoys painting, spending time with her family and going out to eat or shop with her friends. In school, she is involved in Student Council and Intellichoice. You can contact Karen by email at [email protected] or by Twitter @_karenlu_.

All content by Karen Lu
Speed Typing

Speed Typing

Sally Parampottil, Andrés Bear, Shravya Mahesh, Charlotte Vanyo, Karen Lu, Shivi Sharma, Neha Desaraju, and Trisha Atluri
May 15, 2020
Page Design

Page Design

Sally Parampottil, Karen Lu, Sydney Rowe, and Nishant Medicharla
May 15, 2020
Opening Ceremony

Opening Ceremony

Alishba Javaid, Sally Parampottil, Victoria Hertel, Shivi Sharma, Trisha Atluri, Shravya Mahesh, Tracy Tran, Blanche Harris, Nishant Medicharla, Avani Kashyap, Angela Yuan, Andrés Bear, Karen Lu, Samantha Freeman, Pranati Kandi, and Nicholas Pranske
May 15, 2020
Coppell High School senior Het Desai is the salutatorian of the class of 2020. Desai will attend the University of Texas at Austin for the Business Honors program.

Het Desai

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
May 14, 2020

[Video] Isolation workouts: Walking 26.22 miles

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
May 6, 2020
Spicy Chinese soup noodles

Spicy Chinese soup noodles

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
May 2, 2020
Denton resident Jean Reed, grandmother of Coppell High School special education teacher Brooke Coch, stands with several other family members. Reed died on April 10 of coronavirus, leaving behind a legacy of standing by and taking care of her family and loved ones.

Reed’s legacy of nurture, care lives on in family

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
May 1, 2020
This easy soup noodle dish offers a warm spice on a cozy-night in. The most technical step of the entire meal is simply combining all the ingredients in a bowl, but this simple recipe brings the authentic taste of Chinese cuisine wherever you are.

[Photo] Tasting comforts of home food

Various Writers
May 2, 2020
CISD campuses to remain closed for remainder of 2019-20 year

CISD campuses to remain closed for remainder of 2019-20 year

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
April 17, 2020
On Monday the Coppell ISD Board of Trustees discussed issues regarding revenue and savings due to COVID-19. This meeting was held virtually due to Dallas County’s Shelter-at-home order.

Board addresses COVID-19 impacts on tax revenues, curriculum

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
April 10, 2020
With school closed and all UIL events indefinitely postponed, many athletics booster clubs have been forced to use apps such as Zoom for meetings. Transitioning to virtual means of communication is one of many ways booster clubs have remained active in conducting business and supporting their players.

Booster clubs tackling uncertainty head on

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
April 7, 2020
Today, Texas Governor Greg Abbott held a press conferencing issuing an Executive Order regarding social distancing due to COVID-19. Per his instruction, Coppell ISD along with other Texas schools will remain closed through May 4.

Executive Order extends school closure

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
March 31, 2020
CISD extends closure through April 19

CISD extends closure through April 19

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
March 27, 2020
College Board to implement home testing for AP exams

College Board to implement home testing for AP exams

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
March 20, 2020
Coppell ISD will be closed to students through the end of next week as a precaution to the spreading COVID-19. After this period, the district will communicate with families about further action and updates regarding upcoming events and future school dates.

CISD closing in response to Coronavirus

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
March 13, 2020
Texas Thrift is a secondhand store located in Irving with a variety of clothing and houseware items. Texas Thrift is one of many thrift stores in the area, each of which offers a unique selection, price point and overall shopping experience.

Finding hidden gems in thrift stores

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
March 7, 2020
Texas Thrift

Texas Thrift

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
March 6, 2020
The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
March 6, 2020
Plato's Closet

Plato’s Closet

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
March 6, 2020
Goodwill

Goodwill

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
March 6, 2020
Uptown Cheapskate

Uptown Cheapskate

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
March 6, 2020
Thrift Giant

Thrift Giant

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
March 6, 2020
Coppell High School senior Abhishek Mishra writes analyses for professional soccer leagues on Total Football Analysis. Despite not being paid for the hours of work he spends analyzing each match, Mishra dedicates his time to this website because of his love for the game and fascination with thinking like professional coaches.

#SJW2020: The brain behind the game

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
February 28, 2020
Kids play life size checkers at the pop up party at JC’s Burger Bar on Thursday night. Coppell ISD is hosting pop up parties around the city to celebrate its 60th anniversary.

Burgers, corn hole celebrate district’s 60th birthday

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
February 28, 2020
CISD to host pop up party at JC’s Burger Bar

CISD to host pop up party at JC’s Burger Bar

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
February 26, 2020
The City of Coppell has implemented Pulsepoint, a medical app that allows people to respond to cardiac emergencies, permitting them to perform proper CPR before emergency services arrive and be informed of all activity from local emergency services. The app also includes precise locations of AED and other medical kits that may be needed for severe health conditions.

Contemporary app lets everyday citizen perform CPR to save lives

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
February 25, 2020
President Donald Trump campaign regional director Keenan Williams speaks to the Coppell Republican Club on how to rally support for Trump yesterday at Kelly’s Texican Grill. The Coppell Republican Club hosted its February meeting to educate attendees on how to support and help the election process.

Finding love, belonging with Republican Party

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
February 19, 2020
A good night’s rest can affect a person’s mood and energy levels throughout the day, but it can be difficult for high school students to get enough sleep. The Sidekick daily news/assignment editor Karen Lu takes on a challenge to get at least eight hours of sleep for a week.

Ultimate teenage challenge: unplugging, sleeping

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
February 10, 2020
CHS9 student Nicolas Radicic and New Tech High @ Coppell senior AnaMarija Radicic came to Coppell after living in Croatia for nine years. Nicolas is a center midfielder for the varsity soccer team and AnaMarija is the captain of the varsity swim team.

Chasing dreams from Croatia to Coppell

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
January 28, 2020
New Tech High @ Coppell senior AnaMarija Radicic dives at practice at the Coppell YMCA on Jan. 24. Coming from Croatia after living there for nine years, Radicic adjusted to her new environment and is now a captain of the varsity swim team.

Emerging as tenacious swim captain

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
January 28, 2020
Coppell freshman center midfielder Nicolas Radicic passes during the scrimmage against Frisco Wakeland on Dec. 12 at Buddy Echols Field. After playing soccer for 14 years, Radicic is one of two freshmen on the varsity team.

Flourishing on varsity with 14 years experience

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
January 28, 2020
The Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center is hosting a parade Monday at 10 a.m. on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd and Holmes Street. There will be a variety of musical groups and other organizations performing until around 2 p.m.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center to hold parade

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
January 17, 2020
Recently, Coppell High School has started implementing consequences for not wearing your school ID during school hours. These measures are enforced to ensure safety and security for all students and staff.

Administration cracking down on tardiness, IDs

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
January 17, 2020
Coppell ISD announces that Coppell High School will remove C days from the schedule. The alternate A and B days will take place second semester.

District announces elimination of C days in the new year

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
December 12, 2019
Myungrang Hot Dog in Carrollton’s Koreatown serves steaming hot cheese dogs filled with mozzarella alongside other Korean side dishes. Myungrang Hot Dog is one of many restaurants in Koreatown, offering a taste into the foods found traditionally in Korea.

Sampling part of Korea in Carrollton

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
November 23, 2019
Mozart Bakery

Mozart Bakery

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
November 22, 2019
11_15_rowe_koreatownfood1

[Photo] Cocohodo

Sydney Rowe, Staff Writer/Photographer
November 22, 2019
Kimchi

Kimchi

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
November 22, 2019
Myungrang Hot Dog

Myungrang Hot Dog

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
November 22, 2019
Wicked Snow

Wicked Snow

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
November 22, 2019
Coppell High School seniors Kylie Park, Molly Irland and Anna Guzniczak work on a page during Round-Up yearbook in seventh period today. Renovations in A Hall have been completed, and classrooms previously displaced have been moved back to their original rooms.

[Photo] On the Spot: A Hall welcomes students back to refurbished classrooms

Laasya Achanta, Staff Writer
November 19, 2019

On the Spot: California school shooting hits close to home for Bowden

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
November 15, 2019
Coppell High School junior Swarangi Potdar uses a variety of mediums to create art. Potdar promotes her art through social media pages and a personal art commissions website.

Illustrating her future

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
November 14, 2019
Coppell junior swimmer Hector Romero practices butterfly strokes at the YMCA for swim practice on Oct. 28. In addition to swimming, Romero also plays the clarinet in the CHS band and is in the International Baccalaureate program at CHS.

Immersing in swim, band, IB

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
November 4, 2019
Coppell seniors Alex McCord and Ana Hinojos wave at the crowd after being crowned homecoming king and queen on Friday night before the game against Irving Nimitz at Buddy Echols Field. The Cowboys beat the Tigers 55-7 in their fifth district game of the season, bringing their district record to 2-3.

Hinojos, McCord crowned homecoming queen, king

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
October 27, 2019
Scattered debris from street lights and trees lie on Royal Lane in Dallas on Monday. Nine tornadoes hit North Dallas Sunday night and devastated many businesses, residential areas and schools.

Part 1: Disaster strikes shopping center, neighborhoods

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
October 24, 2019
Coppell junior Natalie Fleming, senior Shelby Spoor and junior Chloe Hassman run in the District 6-6A Championship meet on Friday. CHS varsity boys finished second and CHS varsity girls finished first, allowing both teams to advance to the Class 6A Region I Meet.

Defending state champs take first step toward defending title

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
October 19, 2019
Coppell senior setter Kinsey Bailey leaps for the ball at the volleyball match against Flower Mound last night in the CHS Arena. The Jaguars swept the Cowgirls in three sets, 25-20, 25-22, 25-10.

Jaguars race past Cowgirls in district match up

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
October 16, 2019
Coppell senior defensive specialist Victoria Wiegand serves against Irving Nimitz in the CHS Arena on Sept. 13. The Cowgirls face Flower Mound in the CHS Arena tonight at 6:30 p.m.

Cowgirls to face reigning state champions Jaguars

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
October 15, 2019
On Friday, Coppell ISD announced changes to A and B day schedules for Coppell High School, New Tech @ Coppell and CHS9. Each block period will be extended by three to four minutes.

District announces changes to high school bell schedules

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
October 4, 2019
Coppell High School Transitional Pathways paraprofessional Kyle Kohler converses with late CHS student Preston Point. Point died on Sept. 21.

Point leaves behind legacy of love, connection

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
October 3, 2019
Apartment building 8821 at Reflections at Valley Ranch is fenced off from the rest of the complex. On Saturday, a fire destroyed all 13 of 8821’s units, showing extensive damage and financial costs.

Valley Ranch fire decimates 13 apartment units

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
September 25, 2019
Coppell JV sophomore Jack Webb practices on Thursday at Riverchase Golf Club. Webb has been golfing with his family long before joining the school team.

The Sportlight: Webb turns family tradition into school sport

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
September 23, 2019
Coppell residents Julie and CeCe Wick take a self-timed photo together at the Fall Music Series on Saturday. The Fall Music Series hosted family friendly games and free live music in Old Town Coppell.

Fall Music Series caters to those of all ages, creates sense of community

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
September 22, 2019
Coppell resident Ali Ohlinger and niece Brooklyn Ohlinger enjoy the live music in Old Town Coppell on March 8 during the Spring Music Series. This season, the City of Coppell is similarly sponsoring a Fall Music Series, offering live music, food trucks and games.

Fall Music Series to feature Elevation

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
September 20, 2019
Coppell High School seniors Riley Warner and Josh Zawislak and CHS physics teacher Stephanie Sloane place weights into the students’ boat, named The Acorn, at the back of the fieldhouse during sixth period. CHS AP Physics II classes created their own boats, which must hold a minimum of 10 pounds.

[Photo] On the Spot: Physics students test floating ability of boats, calculations (with video)

Christie Hernandez, Staff writer/videographer
September 17, 2019
Coppell junior Andreja Zrnic gets into position at the CHS Tennis Center during a match against Hebron on Sept. 3. Zrnic has played tennis for eight years, training at school, with his family members and with world-ranked players.

Zrnic shares global training, dedication with Coppell tennis

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
September 17, 2019

On the Spot: Encapsulating high school experience in rings (with video)

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
September 9, 2019
Coppell High School senior Advaita Chaudhari takes a ballet class at Ballet Academy of Texas. Chaudhari takes Indian classical dance, ballet, yoga and BollyX classes, finding comfort and passion in multiple forms of the art.

Chaudhari finds solace in dance

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
September 5, 2019
Since the beginning of the school year, Coppell High School students have been experiencing issues with connectivity on the new iPads. The Coppell ISD Technology Department has removed the two problematic VPN servers from the pool.

iPads expected to function quicker with VPN changes

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
August 28, 2019
Coppell High School Principal Laura Springer hugs CHS sophomore Megna Gopinath as a sign of welcoming to the new school year. Springer comes to CHS from Coppell Middle School East and is bringing several changes to the campus.

Atmosphere of warmth drives first day of school changes

Karen Lu, Daily News/Assignment Editor
August 14, 2019
Coppell High School students end the Dance to Make a Difference recital on Tuesday night in the CHS Commons with a dance to a Tamil and Telugu mix. Dance to Make a Difference Club donated the profits from the recital ticket sales to Giffords: Courage to Fight Gun Violence.

Dancing the night away

Karen Lu, Staff Writer
April 27, 2019
Chief Executive Officer of Metrocrest Services Tracy Eubanks speaks on the community effort that Metrocrest Services has provided for the homeless and economically challenged members of Coppell. Eubanks reveals new statistics of homelessness in Coppell and what the organization has done to aid them.

City Council touches on homelessness in Coppell

Karen Lu, Staff Writer
April 25, 2019

On the Spot: Year of learning culminating in month of AP preparation (with video)

Karen Lu, Staff Writer
April 25, 2019
On Wednesday, the Dance to Make A Difference Club is hosting its annual recital fundraiser in the Coppell High School commons. All proceeds go to the organization Giffords: Courage to Fight Gun Violence.

Connecting art with societal change: Dance to Make a Difference to host annual recital

Karen Lu, Staff Writer
April 17, 2019
Coppell High School senior Jayashree Ganesan and junior Prayaag Gupta participated in the UIL Cross Examination Debate state meet at the University of Texas at Austin on March 23. Ganesan and Gupta reached the quarterfinals while debating whether the U.S. government should reduce its restrictions on legal immigration.

Year of research, preparation culminates in debate UIL state tournament

Karen Lu, Staff Writer
April 4, 2019

On the Spot: Great Depression coming alive within APUSH classrooms (with video)

Karen Lu, Staff Writer
March 21, 2019
Coppell High School Red Jacket seniors Anu Uppal, Almira Rajwani and Yue Taira attend the Red Jacket meeting in Red Jacket sponsor Aylor Rix’s class. For their philanthropy project about the history of Coppell ISD, the students plan on creating a timeline to be implemented for the upcoming renovations.

Red Jackets to immortalize Coppell educational history with upcoming timeline

Karen Lu, Staff Writer
March 20, 2019
Coppell resident Xiaofangsui and her family take a picture with the selfie station at the Spring Music Series on March 8. The City of Coppell is hosting a series of nights with live music, food trucks and games in Old Town Coppell.

Citizens experience sense of community with Spring Music Series

Karen Lu, Staff Writer
March 9, 2019
Special Edition Band to play at Old Town Coppell

Special Edition Band to play at Old Town Coppell

Karen Lu, Staff Writer
March 7, 2019
Coppell High School junior Celeste Wang submitted her two artworks to VASE in MacArthur High School named “Let me tell you a story” and “Struggle”. Wang’s portrait “Let me tell you a story” made it to state with a perfect interview score.

Annual VASE competition showcases dedication of art students

Karen Lu, Staff Writer
February 12, 2019
Coppell High School junior George Xie and parent volunteer Michelle Cohen serve Chinese food in the Cozby Library and Community Commons on Saturday afternoon. The Coppell ISD Chinese learners hosted a Chinese New Year event, celebrating the advent of the new lunar year.

Coppell community explores different culture in Chinese New Year event

Karen Lu, Staff Writer
February 8, 2019
Coppell High School sophomores Natalie Adams and Jordyn Morris post inspirational quotes on their Instagram stories to encourage their peers and followers. Every day, the two friends post at least one inspirational quote or visual to their Instagram accounts, @natalie.michelle_ and @jordynmorris.

Changing lives with one button: spread of Instagram positivity

Karen Lu, Staff Writer
January 25, 2019
In the final moments of the second quarter in Friday’s game, the Coppell Cowboys and Hebron Hawks struggle for possession of the ball in the Coppell High School arena. The Cowboys defeated the Hawks, 50-43, in their seventh district game.

Cowboys secure victory over Hawks, maintain undefeated district record

Karen Lu, Staff Writer
January 19, 2019
Coppell senior Tariq Aman looks for an opening during the Cowboys’ game against Flower Mound on Jan. 8. The Cowboys return to District 6-6A play tomorrow night against Hebron at the Coppell High School arena.

Cowboys to play Hawks with undefeated district record

Karen Lu, Staff Writer
January 17, 2019
Coppell ISD associate superintendent Sid Grant addresses the Board of Trustees on the boundary realignment updates during the CISD Board Meeting on Monday. After months of working with demographers to properly delineate between campuses, several concerns are still apparent from parents in the Irving area.

Concerns voiced over new boundary realignment

Karen Lu, Staff Writer
January 15, 2019
Kristine Schwan Primrose signs the motion sent in place to appoint her as the alternate municipal judge during the Coppell City Council Meeting on Jan. 8. Judge Primrose was selected after the current municipal judge Terry Landwehr received a higher position.

City Council swears in new alternate municipal judge

Karen Lu, Staff Writer
January 9, 2019
Coppell High School principal secretary Terry Phillips is retiring after almost two decades of working at CHS. Phillips was raised in Coppell as part of the 1978 graduating class and joined the district in 1998 as the In-School Suspension supervisor for Coppell Middle School West.

Phillips retires after two decades with CISD, leaving behind lifelong legacy

Karen Lu, Staff Writer
December 10, 2018
The 2018-2019 school year has seen some changes to the way shuttles run between Coppell campuses during the school day. These six shuttles are running between the three Coppell campuses (Coppell High School, New Tech High@Coppell and CHS9).

New shuttle system leads to ease of transportation between Coppell campuses

Karen Lu, Staff Writer
October 22, 2018
Coppell juniors Amsah Rauf and Mansi Patel sing and dance together at Coppell High School’s annual homecoming dance on Saturday night at Irving Convention Center. In the week leading up to the dance, there are numerous traditions in CHS, including spirit week and mums and garters.

[Photo] Bright lights, big city homecoming welcomes students back to CHS

Pramika Kadari, Copy Editor
October 1, 2018
Coppell High School tennis players senior Eashana Arora and Sydney Nguyen cheer on in the stands during the match against Marcus High School on Sept. 18. The CHS team won 12-7, bringing home another win.

Nguyen brings passion, international experience to Coppell tennis

Karen Lu, Staff Writer
September 20, 2018
Coppell junior goalkeeper Tommi Penttinen, a foreign exchange student from Finland, practices with his teammates on Friday in the CHS fieldhouse. Penttinen is staying with a host family here in Coppell for a year with a program called Sun Tiimi, which is the local version of a program called International Experience.

From thousands of miles away, Finnish student adjusts to unfamiliar people in familiar place

Karen Lu, Staff Writer
September 14, 2018

Patriot Day- On the Spot from KCBY-TV on Vimeo.

17 years after 9/11 lies a lifetime of grief along with unbreakable kinship (with video)

Karen Lu, Staff Writer
September 12, 2018
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