• Friday is a holiday for all Coppell ISD students.
  • Coppell High School hosts IB Diploma Awards & New Candidate Induction at 6:30 p.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
Yaamini Jois

Yaamini Jois, CHS9 Editor

Yaamini is a senior, second-year writer, and CHS9 Editor of The Sidekick. Yaamini is a staunch supporter of the Oxford comma and considers her only major hobby to be listening to her Spotify playlists. You can contact her on Twitter @yjois12.

 

All content by Yaamini Jois
Freshman Hasini Gade advanced to state for her work “Artifice Ascendancy”. VASE is a visual arts competition held every year in Texas to recognize distinguished artists.

Hasini Gade

Yaamini Jois, CHS9 Editor
May 19, 2023
Freshman Lattika Adloor advanced to state for her work “Undeniable Desire”. VASE is a visual arts competition held every year in Texas to recognize distinguished artists.

Lattika Adloor

Yaamini Jois, CHS9 Editor
May 19, 2023
Nine CHS9 art students advanced to the Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE) held in San Marcos on April 28. Freshmen Aarush Gotur, Spyridoula Angeli and Shruti Pritmani received state medals, with Safiya Azam receiving the highest honor of a Gold Seal.

Freshmen bring back accolades from state VASE in Austin

Yaamini Jois, Sruthi Lingam, and Manasa Mohan
May 19, 2023
Coppell High School senior Amav Khambete participates in swimming and leads the Japanese club CHS students voted on the 19 most influential seniors in the graduating class of 2023.

Amav Khambete: Innovative

Yaamini Jois, CHS9 Editor
May 19, 2023
Coppell High School senior Tyler Schweitzer is a Red Jacket and is a prominent member of the CHS Cowboy Theatre Company. CHS students voted on the 19 most influential seniors in the graduating class of 2023.

Tyler Schweitzer: Authentic

Yaamini Jois, CHS9 Editor
May 19, 2023
Coppell High School senior Mel Venegas is an officer for the CHS Eco Club and is in the sports medicine program. CHS students voted on the 19 most influential seniors in the graduating class of 2023.

Mel Venegas: Environmentalist

Yaamini Jois, CHS9 Editor
May 19, 2023
Freshman Safiya Azam advanced to state for her work “Styroheart” in the 2023 Visual Arts Scholastic Event. VASE is a competition held every year in Texas to recognize distinguished artists across regions.

Safiya Azam

Yaamini Jois, CHS9 Editor
May 19, 2023

Lattika Adloor

Yaamini Jois, CHS9 Editor
May 18, 2023

Safiya Azam

Yaamini Jois, CHS9 Editor
May 18, 2023
Sruthi Lingam

Sruthi Lingam

Yaamini Jois, CHS9 Editor
May 18, 2023
The Sidekick’s 19 under 19 highlights Coppell High School’s stand-out Cowboys and Cowgirls who have devoted their high school careers to leading the school and the community. The following 19 students have been nominated by peers due to their exceptional influence and outstanding contributions that have earned them recognition as some of the most promising leaders of CHS. The Sidekick presents your 19 under 19:

The Sidekick’s 19 under 19

Manasa Mohan, Yaamini Jois, Saniya Koppikar, Anvita Bondada, Sameeha Syed, Nyah Rama, Sahasra Chakilam, Angelina Liu, and Aliza Abidi
May 16, 2023
Coppell ISD agricultural education assistant Larry Thompson helps a freshman harvest cabbage on Thursday at CHS9. The Leo Club gardening committee has been cultivating various produce since November and harvested a cumulative of 159 pounds of crops to donate to Metrocrest Services.

Leo Club gardening committee donates final harvest to Metrocrest Services

Yaamini Jois, CHS9 Editor
May 15, 2023
The CHS9 UNICEF Club is hosting a fundraiser for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) on Saturday at The Sound. The event is from 5-9 p.m. and volunteers will run four different booths for community members to purchase from. Photo courtesy Samanvi Sadak

Freshmen UNICEF Club to host fundraiser in support of mental health

Yaamini Jois, CHS9 Editor
May 12, 2023

[Video] Video: Azam awarded 2023 VASE Gold Seal

Sruthi Lingam, CHS9 Visual Media Editor
May 10, 2023
CHS9 Spanish teacher Reyna Conger limbos during the spring pep rally on April 21 in the campus gym. The biannual pep rally followed a Hawaiian theme and was hosted by the Student Council Executive Board.

CHS9 sways to the beat in Hawaiian-themed spring pep rally

Yaamini Jois
April 28, 2023
Coppell High School math teacher Ian VanderSchee was named the 2022-23 Coppell ISD Secondary Teacher of the Year on Wednesday. VanderSchee has taught at CHS for 17 years and is now in contention for 2022-23 Region 10 Secondary Teacher of the Year.

VanderSchee named CISD Secondary District Teacher of the Year

Yaamini Jois
April 27, 2023
Coppell senior Medleigh Danchak bats against Lewisville at the Coppell ISD Baseball/Softball Complex on Tuesday. The Cowgirls lost, 13-3, to the Farmers.

Cowgirls fall to Farmers in district play

Yaamini Jois, CHS9 Editor
April 8, 2023
CHS9 student Sanjay Sudhan pulls weeds out of the garlic and onions box on Thursday. The gardening committee has been planting various root vegetables since November and will harvest the final produce in May.

Leo Club gardening committee prepares produce before final harvest

Yaamini Jois and Sruthi Lingam
April 6, 2023
The Coppell High School International Baccalaureate Art Exhibition was held at the Coppell Arts Center on March 22. Seniors Ayesha Nasir and Shraavya Pydisetti showcased their finished portfolio, two years of progress, to different mentors and community members.

IB Art seniors showcase two years of progress in exhibition

Yaamini Jois, CHS9 Editor
April 5, 2023
From Coppell High School, 15 artists advanced to the state VASE competition held at San Marcos High School. Top row, from left to right: Richa Kanjani, Jeffrey Wang, Shraavya Pydisetti, Jessica Lu and Ayan Dadsena. Second row, from left to right: Jiya Shah, Ashley Zhang, Krisha Shah, Sahiti Peechara and Srinidhi Madur. Not pictured: Larry Liu, Shriyaa Balaji, Justin Chang, Reyah Rajani and Maya Dudhyala.

VASE medalists advancing to state in first full in-person competition

Yaamini Jois, CHS9 Editor
March 29, 2023
Coppell High School junior Hana Sawaf’s background inspired her to join debate and journalism, propelling her towards a career in international relations. Sawaf’s interests stem from her Syrian-American heritage.

Sawaf chasing UN aspirations, fuelled by heritage

Yaamini Jois, CHS9 Editor
March 13, 2023
CHS9 French I and Spanish I teacher Fabienne Morel poses with her Monchhichi toy, a stuffed monkey beloved in all her classes for its regular appearance in lesson plans. Morel has been teaching at CHS9 since 2019 and is loved by her students for her engaging personality.

[Photo] Morel embracing language learning beyond textbooks

Wendy Le, Staff Writer
March 15, 2023
The Coppell Life Safety Park, built to resemble a miniature version of Coppell, contains multiple buildings in a controlled learning environment to teach residents about life safety and prevention of preventable accidents. The park opened in 2017 and is the project of the Coppell Fire Department and fire chief Kevin Richardson.

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”

Yaamini Jois, CHS9 Editor
March 10, 2023
Coppell ISD trustee Anthony Hill talks to a Mockingbird Elementary School student during a board walk visit on Feb. 15. Hill has served on the board for 15 years and been involved in various projects for CISD, often attending multiple student events a week.

Evergreen lessons from Walnut Hills High School

Yaamini Jois, CHS9 Editor
February 28, 2023
A Coppell resident listens to a presentation about identifying contractor fraud during the regional neighborhood summit presented by Texas Board of Insurance sergeant Dana Richerson. The Coppell Life Safety park hosted the summit with the City of Lewisville and Town of Flower Mound to promote community relationships inside and between the cities.

First tri-city neighborhood summit hosted at Coppell Life Safety Park

Yaamini Jois, CHS9 Editor
February 23, 2023
Pham carries torch of ancient traditions through unbreakable bonds

Pham carries torch of ancient traditions through unbreakable bonds

Yaamini Jois, CHS9 Editor
February 3, 2023
CHS9 health science teacher Amber Fragosa-Deck helps freshman Daniel Devasia with his respiratory system model where the balloon lid represents the diaphragm on Thursday. Fragosa-Deck has been a teacher at CHS9 for three years and was one of five nominees for teacher of the year this year.

[Photo] Fragosa-Deck’s signature bubbly personality guides students into the world of health science

Rhea Chowdhary, Staff Photographer
February 1, 2023
Young onion bulbs are stored in a large bucket with nutrient-rich mud to preserve moisture. CHS9 Leo Club members planted onion bulbs on Thursday morning at CHS9 courtyard to be harvested later in May.

Green-thumbed freshmen come together to grow produce for the community

Yaamini Jois, CHS9 Editor
January 20, 2023
Many students who enter high school experience anxiety due to a shift in workload. To alleviate this, CHS9 has a comfort room located in the counselor suite which has blankets, puzzles and snacks to give freshmen a safe place to take a break and destress.

[Photo] It’s OK to take a break

Anvita Bondada, Staff Writer
January 6, 2023
When students return from Thanksgiving break, CHS9 counselors Amy Blansingame and Katie Walker will shift their focus to aiding freshmen to finish the first semester on a positive note.

CHS9 counselors share semester updates and tips for Thanksgiving

Yaamini Jois, CHS9 Editor
November 24, 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
CHS9 varsity wrestler Ishitha Mallidi and Coppell High School girls wrestling coach Maxine Lisot pose with dumbbells at the CHS Fieldhouse on Sept. 22. Mallidi has been wrestling for three years.

[Photo] Sometimes all you need is a bit of confidence

Nyah Rama, Staff Writer
October 18, 2022

[Video] Keeping Up With Coppell: Ann Cinelli (video)

Yaamini Jois, CHS9 Editor
October 7, 2022
Coppell senior setter Taylor Young spikes against Plano West in Coppell High School Arena on Tuesday. Plano West defeated Coppell, 25-15, 17-25, 28-26, 13-25, 7-15, 7-15.

Cowgirls challenge district leader before falling short in 5 sets

Yaamini Jois, CHS9 Editor
October 5, 2022
Coppell junior defensive specialist Kate MacDonald serves against Plano at CHS Arena on Friday. Coppell hosts Plano West at 6:30 p.m. today at CHS Arena.

Cowgirls seeking win against Plano West in district rematch

Yaamini Jois, CHS9 Editor
October 4, 2022
Jois_FieldFeatureVideo_092922

Video: A Day in the Life of A… Museum Intern

Yaamini Jois, CHS9 Editor
September 30, 2022
Coppell High School counselor Heather Crumpton guides students at the College Fair on Sept. 15. Crumpton is a new counselor at CHS this year.

Crumpton guiding students as self-advocates in first year at CHS

Yaamini Jois, CHS9 Editor
September 26, 2022
Coppell senior middle blocker Ekwe Anwah spikes against Plano East senior opposite hitter Kinsey Killion at the CHS Arena on Tuesday. The Cowgirls defeated Plano East, 28-26, 26-24, 22-25, 25-21.

Coppell ensures a victory against Plano East in four sets on Senior Night

Yaamini Jois, CHS9 Editor
September 21, 2022
Coppell freshman Marli Field discusses graphic design with Savannah College of Design. Coppell High School hosted the college fair, bringing 200 colleges to its campus.

[Photo] College fair comes to Coppell, brings 200 colleges

Anushree De, Advertising and Circulations Manager
September 19, 2022
A recruiter from Trinity University speaks to interested families during the 2021 Coppell High School College Fair. This year’s event is Thursday from 6-8 p.m. at CHS.

College Fair expected to bring nearly 200 representatives to campus

Yaamini Jois, CHS9 Editor
September 14, 2022
Coppell junior Isaac Joseph returns a ball during his singles match against Prosper at the Coppell Tennis Center on Friday. The Coppell tennis team defeated Prosper, 15-4.

Tennis defeats Prosper after six tiebreakers

Yaamini Jois, CHS9 Editor
September 12, 2022
CHS9 Honors Biology teacher Hilary Schieffer speaks with freshman John Lau and parent Daffodil Chan during Tuesday evening’s open house. CHS9 hosted an open house for teachers to interact with students’ families.

[Photo] CHS9 welcomes parents to first in-person open house in two years

Sruthi Lingam, CHS9 Visual Media Editor
September 7, 2022
Flower Mound residents Isabelle and Lillian Wilson enjoy their ride back home from the Coppell Animal Shelter with their newly adopted four month old hound mix, Nala, on Monday. The Coppell Animal Shelter’s “Clear The Shelters” event to increase pet adoption ran Aug. 22-31. Photo courtesy Adrian Wilson

Second chances for a new life

Yaamini Jois, CHS9 Editor
September 2, 2022
CHS9 students Enzo Madero and Alex Garza play life size chess in the CHS9 library on Aug. 24. The district’s first day of school of the 2022-23 school year was on Aug. 17. Photo courtesy Amy Kryzak

New beginnings: the first week of high school for CHS9 students

Yaamini Jois, CHS9 Editor
August 26, 2022
Coppell director of finance Kim Tiehen proposes an updated tax budget at the City Council meeting on Tuesday. Coppell’s current tax rate of $0.518731 is the lowest it has been since 1990.

Tuesday’s council presents lowest tax rate in at least 30 years

Yaamini Jois, CHS9 Editor
August 25, 2022
Coppell High School senior and band head drum major Wes Booker plays the bassoon during band rehearsal on April 19. Booker has recently been honored as a Texas Music Educators Association musician and will be attending University of Texas at Austin Butler School of Music in the fall.

The beat goes on

Yaamini Jois, Staff Writer
May 12, 2022
Coppell High School 2014 alumna and author Laura Gao published her book Messy Roots, with a color panel that signifies the meaning of her Chinese name. Gao hosted a book talk at the Cozby Library and Commons on Sunday for Coppell youth.

Tracing the roots of your identity

Yaamini Jois, Staff Writer
May 4, 2022
From George Coppell to... climate change

From George Coppell to… climate change

Yaamini Jois and Sreeja Mudumby
April 24, 2022
The Coppell City Council approves the amendment of the current Short-Term Rental Ordinance with a citizen during the open forum. The Council approved the creation of a new Ordinance to amend the existing STR Ordinance.

Tuesday’s council meeting provides updates on short term rentals and construction projects

Yaamini Jois, Staff Writer
April 15, 2022
Coppell High School AP calculus BC teacher Terry Osborne teaches factorials during third period on Thursday. Osborne is a new teacher at Coppell, but is already known for his unique sayings and dedication.

Osborne’s step by step approach to teaching calculus

Yaamini Jois, Staff Writer
April 13, 2022
Coppell softball coach Ashley Minick congratulates junior outfielder Hannah Gullatt for a successful scoring run. The Cowgirls defeated the Marauders, 7-1 in its third district game.

Coppell scores victory in second game against Marcus

Yaamini Jois, Staff Writer
April 11, 2022
Coppell sophomore infielder Mallory Moore bats against Plano West in the Coppell ISD Baseball/Softball Complex on Tuesday. The Cowgirls defeated the Wolves, 5-3.

Cowgirls triumph over Plano in final inning

Yaamini Jois, Staff Writer
April 8, 2022
The Sportlight: Yin mastering serves, control over technique

The Sportlight: Yin mastering serves, control over technique

Yaamini Jois, Staff Writer
April 8, 2022
Coppell senior pitcher Kat Miller pitches against Plano East on March 25 at the Coppell ISD Softball Complex. The Cowgirls host Plano West on Tuesday, first pitch at 7:15 p.m.

First place Cowgirls host Plano West

Yaamini Jois, Staff Writer
April 4, 2022
CHS9 English teacher Erin Begle assists CHS9 student Sriya Meduri with English I STAAR EOC practice questions during third period on Wednesday. Begle started teaching at CHS9 this school year and the CHS9 student council recognized her as February teacher of the month.

Begle coaching empathy through literature

Yaamini Jois, Staff Writer
April 4, 2022
CHS9 students Yashitha Chunduru, Sabah Uddin and Navya Singh, pictured with CHS9 DECA advisers William Harrington and Kim Porter, were named DECA finalists and International Career Development Conference (ICDC) qualifiers at the state DECA Career Development Conference on Feb 26. ICDC qualifiers will compete on April 24 in Atlanta.

CHS9 first year DECA students breakthrough to ICDC

Yaamini Jois, Staff Writer
March 30, 2022
Coppell freshman outfielder Neveah Carter scores against Plano East on Friday at the Coppell ISD Baseball/Softball Complex. The Cowgirls defeated the Panthers, 9-1.

Cowgirls gain victory over Plano, maintains strong record in season

Yaamini Jois, Staff Writer
March 26, 2022
Coppell councilmember John Jun discusses the repeal of the code of conduct with city attorney Robert E. Hager during the city council meeting on Feb. 22. During the meeting on March 10, the council discussed short term rentals and approvals for construction projects.

HOA members address short term rentals at Tuesday’s council meeting

Yaamini Jois, Staff Writer
March 11, 2022
Coppell junior defensive mid Ryder Brock gets past Lewisville freshman forward Sebastian Coronado at Buddy Echols Field on Friday. The Cowboys won, 2-1.

Boys soccer remains in playoff chase with victory over Lewisville

Yaamini Jois, Staff Writer
March 6, 2022
Hope’s Door New Beginning Center community educator Ryan Thomas asks program attendees to raise their hands while discussing dating experiences at the Coppell Cozby Library and Community Commons on Monday. The Coppell Cozby Library hosted a program about healthy relationships in awareness of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.

Fixing the hole in the bridge: preventing abuse before it happens

Yaamini Jois, Staff Writer
February 22, 2022
Coppell High School senior Megna Gopinath sits on the Madrigal feast prop The King’s Throne in the choir props room on Feb. 7. Gopinath has been involved in multiple choirs since sixth grade, including the Coppell Middle School East choir, treble choir and Madrigal choir.

In the Spotlight: Gopinath dually conquering stage fright

Yaamini Jois, Staff Writer
February 22, 2022
Coppell senior pitcher Jake Maggio pitches at the Coppell ISD Baseball/Softball Complex on Friday. Coppell played Lake Highlands in a scrimmage.

Cowboys ride defense, pitching in scrimmage against Lake Highlands

Yaamini Jois, Staff Writer
February 19, 2022
Coppell celebrates its comeback win against Keller on May 28, 2021 at Denton Guyer. The Cowboys host its first home scrimmage of the season tomorrow at CISD Baseball/Softball Complex against Lake Highlands, first pitch at 5 p.m.

Cowboys to play Lake Highlands in first home scrimmage of the season

Yaamini Jois, Staff Writer
February 18, 2022
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