Feature

Sophomore Bright Jun picks up his McDonald’s online order from Room 7, the attendance office, on Wednesday, Oct. 9, during lunch.

DOOR DASHERS: More students opt for food delivery during lunch than settling for ‘gross,’ free school meals

Elise Pak, Staff Reporter • April 11, 2025

This is one of a series of five-year, COVID-19 pandemic anniversary articles The Accolade’s Spotlight team has expanded from its original print...

Since the March 2020 lockdown because of the COVID-19 pandemic, terms like “test-blind” or “test-optional” for SAT and ACT have begun appearing in the college admissions process to adapt to the circumstances of being unable to take the exams in person. Test-blind refers to colleges not accepting or considering standardized exam scores.

VIRAL IMPACT ON SAT, ACT: Pandemic spurs ‘test-optional,’ ‘test-blind’ trend in college admissions

Kyuwon Han, Spotlight Team Reporter • April 3, 2025

This is one of a series of five-year, COVID-19 pandemic anniversary articles The Accolade’s Spotlight team has expanded from its original print...

Author of Party School Jonathan Hart shares his experience writing and publishing the novel during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Q&A: Party School author reviews experience as a writer during COVID-19

Ashley Kang, Business Manager & Spotlight Team Reporter • April 1, 2025

This is one of a series of five-year, COVID-19 pandemic anniversary articles The Accolade’s Spotlight team has expanded from its original...

After switching to colored magazines at the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year, The Accolade has produced three issues as of Tuesday, April 1. Students share their reactions to the costs and effort required to plan and publish each magazine.

DID YOU KNOW? Cost of one Accolade 32-page magazine same as a McDonald’s Mini McFlurry

Alice Chae, Social Media Team & Staff Reporter • April 1, 2025

As a continuing feature, The Accolade delves into the origins of Sunny Hills culture or landmarks. This time, we take a look at our own program....

Looking back on the past five years, teachers and students reflect on how the world has changed while going through both the stages of a global pandemic to a recovery, to where we are now.

5 YEARS LATER: A look back at what we have learned from the COVID-19 pandemic

Angelina Jeong, Spotlight Specialty Magazine Editor • March 25, 2025

Oxford University Press, which named "brain rot" its Word of the Year, created this design on its website with words in the background relating to the other runner-up terms that are included in the shortlist.

Brain rot’s the sigma – earns 2024 Word of the Year honor from Oxford English Dictionary

Irene Park, News Editor • March 11, 2025

Two students from December 2016 decorate parts of the quad before the start of first period on the Monday of final exam week. This rite of passage that disappeared before COVID-19 hit in March 2020 should return to campus.

STAFF EDITORIAL: 5 years after the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s time to bring back some forgotten traditions

The Accolade Editorial Board • March 11, 2025

New campus supervisor Jennifer Davila (right) guides sophomore Andrew Loyola through the 5-Star app on Tuesday, Jan. 7, outside the 30s wing. Loyola asked what would happen if the timer for the bathroom pass ran out.

What does new campus supervisor and Jiminy Cricket have in common?

Soojin Cho, Copy Editor • March 3, 2025

The Accolade staff of 1997 work in Room 15 for its upcoming issue. Before the staff had its home in Room 138 in 1999, the majority of the work would be done in the computer lab in the 10s wing.

DID YOU KNOW? The Accolade’s name stems from connection with school’s mascot

Alexxa Berumen, Editor-in-Chief • February 25, 2025

Then-sophomore Nate Barksdale (front row, second from left) holds the ACCOLADE ST sign in the newspaper staff photo that appears in the 1991-1992 yearbook. Unbeknownst to Barksdale, he would eventually ignite an Accolade staff yearbook photo tradition that would last nearly a decade.

DID YOU ALSO KNOW? The Accolade once had its own street sign — why and where is it now?

Alice Chae, Social Media Team & Staff Reporter • February 20, 2025

The Accolade staff shares mixed opinions regarding the publication’s survival over the next 10 years.

DID YOU KNOW? The Accolade marks 65 years, eyes a 75th anniversary without print

Elise Pak, Staff Reporter • February 20, 2025

Statistics show majority of high school sweethearts tend to go on their separate ways post-graduation.

BE MINE? Statistics suggest high school sweethearts won’t last following graduation; SH couples share their thoughts

Nicole Park, Feature Editor • February 17, 2025

After the 2024 presidential election ending with Donald Trump's victory, The Accolade's Spotlight team focuses on different aspects entering this new era and the aftermath.

SPOTLIGHT: Post-election wrap-up

Ellen Hwang, Angelina Jeong, Faith Jung, and Ashley Kang • February 7, 2025

Senior Lillian Foster poses with a tennis racket and balls at Northwestern’s tennis court on Monday, July 8, during the Northwestern pre-college program from Sunday, June 30-Saturday, July 13.

FROM SUMMER ACTION TO EARLY DECISION: Chance to study at Northwestern solidifies senior’s top college choice

Caroline Shin, Staff Reporter • January 27, 2025

An artist’s rendition of a student graduating with a three-year degree displays the differences between the traditional college route and the newer, less conventional one.

More join ‘College-in-3’ movement though most SH students, parents remain skeptical about non-traditional degree pathway

Katelyn Ahn, Business Manager & Spotlight Team Reporter • January 7, 2025

Andrew Ngo (right), who graduated from Sunny Hills in 2021, holds his bachelor’s degree in business administration during his commencement ceremony at USC on Friday, May 10. Ngo earned enough college credits from passing scores in his International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement exams to help him graduate from USC in three instead of the traditional four years.

ALUMNI ARTICULATION: Some recent Lancer grads take non-traditional route of finishing college in three years

Soojin Cho, Copy Editor • January 7, 2025

College student and Target seasonal worker Alyssa Vasquez identifies items that need to be restocked in the produce section of Fullerton Amerige Heights Town Center’s location.

HOLLY JOLLY JOBS: Winter season brings opportunities for students

Irene Park, News Editor • December 26, 2024

For the 2024 holiday season, most Americans plan to spend the same or less as in previous years, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers. At Sunny Hills, students also don't plan on increasing their budget this year because of higher prices.

FUN AT WHAT COST?: Students plan to spend less this holiday season because of higher prices

Justin Pak, Web Managing Editor • December 16, 2024

A Sunny Hills staff member dresses up as an elf and reads the Nov. 18, 2022, Accolade newspaper issue while sitting atop the roof of one of the campus buildings on Dec. 21, 2022.

DID YOU KNOW? Who ‘elf’ can be on that campus rooftop before winter holidays but … ?

Lauren Kang, Sports Editor • December 14, 2024

Juniors Chloe Aeum (left) and Renee Reyes, who attends Philippine Science High School, pose with a cue stick at Oxford University’s terrace cafe on Tuesday, July 30, during the Oxford Summer Courses held from Sunday, July 21-Saturday, Aug. 3.

CHEERIO: Then-rising junior travels across the Atlantic to get Oxford college experience

Caroline Shin, Staff Reporter • December 2, 2024

Class of 2015 alumnus Adrien Truong holds his phone displaying his Gradekit app at his home on Sunday, Nov. 3. Truong has been working on the app since 2014.

ALUMNI ARTICULATION: Class of 2015 graduate quits high-paying computer tech job to return to high school passion project

Kyuwon Han, Spotlight Team Reporter • November 19, 2024

Freshman Florenzo Tenazas unlocks his e-bike after fifth period on Thursday, Nov. 7, between the 20s and 40s wings. Since the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year, more electric forms of transportation can be seen at the two bike racks on campus.

ELECTRIFYING TREND: More SH students riding e-bikes, e-scooters to get to school

Emily Kim, Staff Reporter • November 8, 2024

To promote civic engagement, the Orange County Registrar of Voters has been setting up information booths like this one at the University of California, Irvine, on Thursday, Oct. 10. Those eligible to cast a ballot but haven't registered can still do so on Election Day Tuesday, Nov. 5, by visiting any voting center in the state.

GREAT EXPECTATIONS: More than half of seniors eligible to vote plan on casting their ballot before or by Election Day Tuesday, Nov. 5

Kyuwon Han, Spotlight Team Reporter • November 4, 2024

The Democratic donkey and Republican elephant are two political symbols representing the approaching presidential election.

HISTORY IS ON THE LINE: SH students share thoughts on presidential election

Faith Jung, Spotlight Specialty Magazine Editor • October 26, 2024

Senior Liv Chavez (second to right) receives her pink tiara upon the announcement of her homecoming queen title during the halftime of the Friday, Oct. 4, football game at the Buena Park High School stadium.

CROWNED TO INSPIRE: Q&A with 2024 homecoming queen Liv Chavez

Emily Kim, Staff Reporter • October 23, 2024

New science teacher Aaron Eide helps freshman Osama Ibrahim with opening his Chromebook to access his Biology exam during sixth period on Friday, Oct. 18.

NEW SCHOOL, NEW CHALLENGE: Ex-Troy science teacher aims to make biology fun with hands-on activities, labs

Yena Oh, Sports Editor • October 22, 2024

During fourth period, junior Melina Garcia (left) asks new English teacher Hannah Batchelor a question on Thursday, Sept. 5, in Room 33 about her Ralph Waldo Emerson’s “Nature” reading assignment in her textbook. Batchelor, who has been using Room 11 second period and Room 33 during zero, third and fourth periods since the start of the fall semester, is scheduled to move into her own classroom in Room 154 on Thursday, Oct. 17, or Friday, Oct. 18.

NEWFOUND PASSION: Environmental scientist makes the switch to help youth as an English teacher, cross country head coach

Elise Pak, Staff Reporter • October 16, 2024

Assistant principal Betty Vutang (right) assists junior Jessica Choi with the student’s schedule-changing concerns in the Lyceum during the Tuesday, Aug. 6, Lancer Day registration.

BONJOUR: New Sunny Hills assistant principal — first Asian administrator here — and former French teacher aims to support struggling students

Justin Pak, Web Managing Editor • September 23, 2024

Senior Gunnar Okerlund uses his Associated Student Body Gold Card to get a free entrance to the Friday, Sept. 6, football game at the Buena Park High School stadium against the Woodrow Wilson Bruins.

DID YOU KNOW? Associated Student Body Gold Card sales continue to provide benefits for students and school since the 60’s

Irene Park, News Editor • September 19, 2024

Despite not becoming one of the 39 Class of 2024 valedictorians, senior Michael Amescua celebrates winning the Academic Excellence Award.

CLASS OF 2024 ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNER Q&A: Michael Amescua

Faith Jung, Spotlight Specialty Magazine Editor • June 8, 2024

Wearing her second-degree black belt and a dobok, English teacher Liese Wellmeyer Garcia demonstrates her taekwondo skills by separating a board in two with her right hand during the Friday, Feb. 16, International Food Fair double second period assembly in the gym.

TEACHER LEISURE: Who was that lady punching the board in half with her hand during the International Week assembly?

Aashna Dialani, Opinion Editor • June 3, 2024

Social science teacher Kristin Kosareff checks on her students' work in her fourth period Advanced Placement Human Geography class on Tuesday, May 14.

FROM RAIDER TO LANCER: Despite graduating from Sonora, social science instructor hired to teach 3 classes in 2022 embraces SH culture

Caroline Shin, Staff Reporter • May 30, 2024

Sophomore Norah Chowdhury (far right) reads out loud her essay, “Storyteller,” on Friday, March 15, at Chapman University in Orange as part of the 25th Annual Holocaust Art and Writing Contest awards ceremony.

Sophomore recalls own family history to win 1st place in Chapman University’s Holocaust Writing Contest

Claire Lee, Entertainment Editor • May 29, 2024

Poll

What do you like most about the spring season?

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Daylight saving time; the sun doesn’t set until close to 7 p.m. and later as we get closer to summer.

Warmer weather; I can show off my fashion sense.

Blooming flowers; the vibrant colors and fresh scents make everything feel alive.

A sense of renewal; everything feels like a fresh start after winter.

Poll

Five years after the COVID-19 lockdown, do you think we are …

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completely back to normal

still in the process of recovering

indifferent; don't have particular opinions on this