• Coppell ISD is on Winter Break through Monday, Jan. 6. Classes resume Tuesday, Jan. 7.
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
Pranati Kandi

Pranati Kandi, Staff Photographer

Pranati Kandi is a senior and a second-year staff photographer for The Sidekick. She enjoys photography, listening to music, watching movies and hanging out with friends. You can contact her at [email protected] or find her on Twitter at @KandiPranati.

All content by Pranati Kandi
Andy Brown Park has four locations: West, East, Andrew Brown Jr. Community Park and Central Field. Andy Brown Park was voted The Sidekick’s best place to take a walk in Coppell.

[Photo] Best place for a walk: Andy Brown Park

Sreeja Mudumby, Communications Manager
May 17, 2021
CHS9 assistant principal Ashley Graham has been an AP for four years. As a University of Louisiana at Monroe graduate, Graham began in the medical field before eventually transitioning to the education field.

[Photo] “Education is a calling and it’s what we were called to do”

Anette Varghese, Staff Writer
May 14, 2021
Texas Woman’s University awarded its prestigious Chancellor’s Endowed Scholarship to Coppell High School senior Binivaa Manandhar on March 25 in the CHS Arena. Manandhar was the only applicant out of 1,600 to receive the award. Photo by Pranati Kandi

[Photo] Manandhar receives exclusive TWU’s Chancellor Endowed Scholarship

Avani Kashyap, Daily News/Assignment Editor
May 4, 2021
New Tech High @ Coppell sophomore Vibha Radhakrishnan spends the morning at the Dallas Zoo on April 18. Radhakrishnan has been volunteering weekly as a part of the Zoo Crew volunteer program since 2017, where her role volunteering primarily includes educating guests about the animals and cleanup duty.

[Photo] “It’s where I love to be”: Radhakrishnan amplifying positive impact of zoos as Dallas Zoo volunteer

May 3, 2021
Coppell junior Taylor Ingle sticks her landing on her uneven bar routine on Saturday at the Texas Dreams Gym. Ingle and her Texas Dream Level 10 counterparts advanced into the Level 10 National Championships in Daytona Beach, Fla. on May 14-16 after placing in the top seven at the regional meet in Lubbock on April 15-16.

[Photo] Gymnastics places first at state, advances three Coppell girls to nationals

Meer Mahfuz, Staff Writer
April 28, 2021
Coppell High School junior Siddarth Bellubbi and New Tech High @ Coppell junior Cason Cole have been friends since elementary school and doubles partners for 11 years. The pair did taekwondo together before transitioning into playing tennis.

[Photo] 40 – friendship

Sapna Amin, Staff Writer
April 28, 2021
Coppell High School’s Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) sends 15 members to the International Career Development Conference (ICDC), including two Sidekick staff writers: sophomores Iniya Nathan and Manasa Mohan. DECA provides resources and conference opportunities for high schoolers and college students interested in finance, marketing, hospitality and management.

[Photo] DECA transforming resourcefulness into results

Shreya Beldona, Executive enterprise editor
April 16, 2021
Located on Main Street Grapevine, adjacent to TEXrail Station, Harvest Hall brings a new twist to the food hall concept. Modeled after 19th century train stations, this food hall features seven different restaurants and two different bars.

Feast your eyes on this: Harvest Hall comes to Grapevine

Pranati Kandi, Staff Photographer
April 14, 2021
Coppell senior golfer Andrew Chow practices his putting on Jan. 31 at Hackberry Creek Country Club in Irving. The Coppell boys varsity golf team won second place at the District 6-6A Tournament and advanced to regionals.

[Photo] Amped up second round results in unexpected 2nd place finish

Varshitha Korrapolu, Staff Writer
April 1, 2021
Coppell senior Jo’el Hernandez practices sparring with sophomore Dominic Godinez on Friday in the CHS Field House. Hernandez is the captain of the wrestling team and is also a member of the Technology Student Association, an organization dedicated to business education and STEM.

[Photo] Captain wrestling with engineering solutions to air pollution

Anjali Vishwanath, Staff Writer
February 9, 2021
Coppell senior golfer Andrew Chow replaces the flagstick at practice on Thursday at Hackberry Creek Country Club in Irving. Chow’s involvement in Young Life and the Young Men’s Service League helped him gain the leadership skills to be captain of the golf team.

[Photo] At your service: Chow guiding boys golf in good faith

Anjali Krishna, Co-Sports Editor
February 2, 2021
Screen Shot 2021-01-19 at 11.19.59 AM

[Photo] CHS9 December Teacher Spotlight nurtures individuality in students

Nanditha Nagavishnu, Staff Writer
January 20, 2021
Local Diner in Old Town Coppell serves customers on Tuesday at 25% capacity to slow down the spread of COVID-19. The City of Coppell has been urging its citizens to shop local with “Be Vocal, Shop Local” signs throughout the city.

[Photo] Shop Coppell Giveaway encouraging community involvement

Nanditha Nagavishnu, Staff Writer
December 18, 2020
City council Place 5 John Jun greets early voters for the runoff election for Coppell City Council outside of Coppell Town Center on Dec. 2. Jun defeated Jim Walker in Tuesday’s runoff election for Coppell City Council.

[Photo] Jun wins runoff for council Place 5

December 9, 2020
Coppell handyman Matt Young repairs a power outlet in his bathroom on Wednesday. Young has been a handyman in Coppell for 11 years after writing software applications for the finance industry.

[Photo] Fronts of Coppell: Matt Young

Shivi Sharma, Executive News Editor
December 7, 2020
The Sidekick junior staff writer Anjali Vishwanath shows her team loyalties with a sweatshirt and newspaper article describing the New England Patriots’ 2019 Super Bowl win at Andy Brown East. Vishwanath moved from Massachusetts to Texas in 2018, but finds that her loyalty remains with New England sports teams.

[Photo] Sports team loyalties: lifelong or adaptable?

Anjali Vishwanath, Staff Writer
November 13, 2020
In Tuesday’s City Council election, incumbent Wes Mays won against David Bernstein for Place 3. As no candidate won the majority for Place 5, leading candidates John Jun and Jim Walker are headed for a runoff election of Dec. 8. Graphic by Pranati Kandi

[Photo] Mays wins re-election, Place 5 heads for runoff in City Council election

Avani Kashyap, Daily News/Assignment Editor
November 6, 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

Trisha Atluri, Pranati Kandi, and Sreehitha Moravaneni
November 3, 2020

Davin Bernstein

Anjali Krishna, Pranati Kandi, and Camila Flores
November 3, 2020
Behind the Ballot: City Council Place 3

Behind the Ballot: City Council Place 3

Anjali Krishna, Pranati Kandi, Camila Flores, Akhila Gunturu, and Lilly Gorman
November 3, 2020
The Sidekick executive editorial page editor Camila Villarreal enjoys the fall season at the Flower Mound Pumpkin Patch on Monday. Due to COVID-19, fall has felt gloomy, but Villarreal emphasizes the importance of keeping the fall spirit alive.

[Photo] Keeping the seasonal spirit alive

Camila Villarreal, Executive Editorial Page Editor
October 21, 2020
The Coppell City Council hosted a virtual meeting this Tuesday. This meeting discussed the transfer and pre-sale fees for the Rolling Oaks Memorial Center, along with the changes in the DART maintenance arrangements.

[Photo] Local cemetery, DART upkeep highlight council meeting

Torie Peck, Staff Writer
October 15, 2020
New Tech High @ Coppell senior Taylor Peltier finishes at the District 6-6A cross country meet on Oct. 18 at North Lake Park in Denton. Peltier committed to the State University of New York Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF) for cross country.

Q&A: Peltier to continue hitting the trails in the Empire State

Pranati Kandi, Staff Photographer
May 16, 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
Whether you’re rereading an all-time favorite or trying out a new recommendation, reading is a great way to pass time. Even if you can’t go to an actual library, downloading an ebook is a great way for you to get your reading fix.

[Photo] Enjoy self-quarantining with these boredom-busting pastimes

Shravya Mahesh, Entertainment Editor
April 15, 2020
Coppell junior Hannah Francis wrestles at the Coppell Round-Up on Nov. 23 in the CHS Field House. Francis holds three All-American titles and wrestles for both the Coppell team and on the national level for Team Texas.

Hannah Francis

Pranati Kandi, Staff Photographer
April 7, 2020
Irving Nimitz’s Jonathan Morales dribbles away from Coppell senior midfielder Ben Wang on Feb. 18 at Buddy Echols Field. Wang plays for the Coppell boys soccer team, which placed second in District 6-6A last year, and is ranked 13th in his class.

Student athletes balancing academics with sports

Tracy Tran, Sneha Sash, Pranati Kandi, Trisha Atluri, and Camila Flores
April 7, 2020
The wall outside of C hall is decorated for National Foreign Language Week with projects created by students in language courses. Classes have been celebrating foreign language week with projects.

[Video] National Foreign Language week celebrates cultures, voices in campus (with video)

Tracy Tran, Staff Writer/Photographer
March 6, 2020
Voters stand in line at the Coppell City Hall to vote on Super Tuesday. Democratic Presidential Candidate Joe Biden won the Democratic Primary in Texas while President Donald Trump won the Republican Primary in Texas.

[Photo] Voters pack Coppell City Hall for Super Tuesday

Nishant Medicharla, Business Manager
March 4, 2020
Coppell High School senior Rushil Nakkana displays winnings from this weekend's DECA State Career Development Conference at the Fort Worth Convention center. In these competitions, members receive business scenarios and work in groups of two to find a solution in hopes of advancing to internationals.

[Photo] On the Spot: State DECA success leads to students advancing to internationals (with video)

Sydney Rowe, Staff Writer/Photographer
February 25, 2020

[Video] Tramel claims three school records in breakout season (with video)

Anjali Krishna, Staff Writer
February 10, 2020
Coppell theater freshmen mingle as a part of the CHS Bigs and Littles theater program after school in Coppell theater teacher Karen Ruth’s room on Jan. 25. In the Bigs and Littles program, each freshman is assigned either a junior or senior to help them adjust to their first year of theater and help them with their future theater endeavors. Photo by Pranati Kandi

[Photo] Bigs and Littles program bridges divide between freshmen, upperclassmen

Blanche Harris, Staff Photographer
February 7, 2020
Coppell High School junior Rith Bhattacharya (center left) is joined by Flower Mound High School juniors Abhinav Chadaga, Mathew Abraham and Shaan Jani, also known as INDIGOS, on stage for the Teen Renaissance Opening Celebration at the Dallas Museum of Art on Saturday. The annual Teen Renaissance Celebration is an all-day celebration put on by the DMA’s Teen Advisory Council, including a range of activities from artist performances to the Teen Renaissance Artist Panel.

Coppell representation strong at Dallas Museum of Art for annual Teen Renaissance Celebration

Pranati Kandi, Staff Photographer
February 2, 2020
In celebration of Coppell ISD’s 60th anniversary, CISD hosted a pop-up party at Rodeo Goat in Cypress Waters on Jan. 23. This pop-up is one of many already hosted by CISD, including a range of events from a community tailgate at Buddy Echols Field to Bingo Night at Coppell Middle School North.

CISD celebrates 60th anniversary with pop-up party at Rodeo Goat

Pranati Kandi, Staff Photographer
February 2, 2020
Coppell senior Garrett Hardin wrestles Skyline senior Kundae Ange on Nov. 23 in the CHS Field House for the 138 weight class bout, later losing the bout at the Coppell Round-Up. Coppell is hosting Senior Night against Keller Fossil Ridge in the CHS Arena tomorrow at 6 p.m.

[Photo] Senior Night to recognize graduating wrestlers during duels against Fossil Ridge

Jillian Moore, Staff Writer
January 29, 2020
Coppell High School junior Rith Bhattacharya (center) is joined by Flower Mound High School students Abhinav Chadaga, Mathew Abraham and Shaan Jani, also known as INDIGOS, on stage for the Teen Renaissance Opening Celebration at the Dallas Museum of Art on Saturday. The annual Teen Renaissance Celebration is an all-day celebration put on by the DMA’s own Teen Advisory Council, including a range of activities from artist performances to the Teen Renaissance Artist Panel.

[Photo] Local artists exhibit powerful presence at second DMA Teen Renaissance Fair (with video)

January 27, 2020
In celebration of Coppell ISD’s 60th anniversary, CISD hosts a pop up party at Rodeo Goat in Cypress Waters last night. This pop up is one of the many already hosted by CISD at locations such as Andy’s Frozen Custard and Coppell Middle School North.

[Photo] CISD unites at pop up party (with video)

Pramika Kadari, Executive News & Enterprise Editor
January 25, 2020
Coppell High School sophomore Sawyer Strauss wears a Respira Royalty shirt, a supporter shirt for the Respira show choir. Supporter shirts are a renowned CHS tradition and are typically made for sports and extracurricular activities.

[Photo] Supporter shirts building supportive tradition

Tracy Tran, Staff Writer/Photographer
December 18, 2019
Coppell High School Red Jackets sing Christmas carols on the senior bridge during the passing period before seventh period. Red Jackets Christmas carols are an annual campus tradition where Red Jackets sing for the school to celebrate the holidays.

[Photo] Red Jackets spreading smiles, spirit with Christmas caroling

Shreya Beldona, Staff Writer
December 16, 2019
The pedestrian bridge connecting the parking lot to the Coppell Aquatic and Recreation Facility (CORE) is being replaced. The CORE, the Coppell community center, began bridge construction on Dec. 2 and is expected to finish early February. Photo by Pranati Kandi.

[Photo] CORE reconstruction expected to end early February

Laasya Achanta, Staff Writer
December 12, 2019
Coppell junior wrestler Hannah Francis prepares to wrestle her opponent during the Coppell Round-Up on Nov. 23. Francis has been wrestling for the school team for two years and holds three All-American titles.

[Photo] Francis slams competition while rising to national fame

Shravya Mahesh, Entertainment Editor
December 4, 2019
Coppell High School Spanish teacher Señor Becerra leads a classroom discussion regarding Spanish literature with his third period AP Spanish V class. Becerra is a new teacher at CHS and is in charge of the National Spanish Honors Society.

[Photo] New Spanish teacher brings human side to language learning

Alishba Javaid, Staff writer
December 3, 2019
Coppell sophomore Hazel Salinas wrestles Allen in a bout Saturday. The Coppell wrestling team competed in the Coppell Round-Up pre-season tournament on Saturday in the CHS fieldhouse, placing first by winning a majority of the bouts.

[Photo] Cowgirls round up at top in six-school takedown

Neha Desaraju, Student Life Editor
November 25, 2019
Coppell senior Garrett Hardin wrestles against Skyline senior Kundae Ange on Saturday in the CHS Field House for the 138 weight class bout, later losing the bout at the Coppell Round-Up. Coppell boys varsity took third place overall after beating Memorial, Skyline and Frisco Heritage, but losing to Northwest and Centennial.

[Photo] Boys start season off with a bang at Coppell Round-up, place 3rd

Meer Mahfuz, Staff Writer
November 25, 2019
Coppell High School IB English teacher Stephanie Spate uses cell phone holders throughout the school day. A new school-wide phone policy was implemented at the beginning of the year, requiring students to place phones in cell pockets.

[Photo] New cell phone policy silences classroom distractions

November 5, 2019
Attendees color on a mural which represents the various cultures in the Coppell community at Saturday’s Kaleidoscope at Andy Brown Park East. Kaleidoscope was held on Saturday for the third year to promote cultural diversity in Coppell.

[Photo] Uniting hand to hand: Kaleidoscope promotes cultural diversity through fireworks, mural

Nishant Medicharla, Business Manager
October 21, 2019
During Tuesday’s Coppell City Council meeting at Coppell City Hall, Coppell Mayor Pro Tem Mark Hill presents Coppell Fire Department Deputy Chief Tim Oates with a proclamation naming Oct. 6-12 as Fire Prevention Week. Oates address the council and attendees about the importance of having a fire safety plan in your home.

[Photo] Breast cancer awareness, fire safety highlight city council meeting

Rithik Chennupati, Staff Writer
October 10, 2019
Coppell High School junior Keertana Narayanan practices her Spanish during language teacher Michael Egan’s second period AP Spanish IV class on Thursday. Narayanan practices speaking an article in Spanish for a grade.

Practice makes perfect: Students display classroom skills in Spanish conversations

Pranati Kandi, Photographer
October 9, 2019
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