Feature

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

Two years ago during the holiday shopping season in December, then-sophomore David Tapia recalls walking into the Tokyo Japanese Lifestyle gift...

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

As a continuing feature, The Accolade delves into the origins of Sunny Hills culture or landmarks. This time, we take a look at the person who’s...

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 1, 2024

As the fall semester nears its end this month and a new year begins next January, students and parents may consider summer options for the former...

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

The Accolade introduces a new feature that focuses on those who have graduated from Sunny Hills and how they are contributing to their community...

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 15, 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

Junior Harley Kaewsamlee works with the newly purchased tools on Wednesday, April 10, with the morning engine building team in Room 131.

EXTREME MAKEOVER — AUTO TECH EDITION: Renovation moves students out of classroom and into mechanic shop itself

Alexxa Berumen, Editor-in-Chief • May 29, 2024

A digital version of the Lancer Handbook, renamed “Student Handbook,” can be found under the “Students and Parents” section of the Sunny Hills website. For students to be able to pick up class schedules on Lancer Days, the handbook is one of many steps their parents have to go through on Aeries in May or over the summer.

DID YOU KNOW?: Despite transition from hard copy to digital, ‘Student Handbook’ remains obscure to Lancers, their parents

Claire Lee, Entertainment Editor • May 29, 2024

Student cafeteria worker senior Chloe Sepulveda uses the tablet while handing out food items to students during break on Friday, May 17, in the cafeteria.

SILENT SUPPORT: Student workers help maintain school environment behind the scenes

Gerald Han, Videographer • May 29, 2024

Video production director senior Melusine Tenkoff prepares to film for the schoolwide lip dub during sixth period on Friday, April 26.

Video production director of weekly, pre-recorded news video reflects on her 4-year experience at the helm

Angelina Jeong, Spotlight Specialty Magazine Editor • May 27, 2024

Senior Mei-Ling Leal takes a picture with actor and singer Joshua Bassett on June 16, 2023, while covering an event at Sweet Squares, his sister Ashley Bassett’s bakery.

Blogger flips the script and brings new voices online

Lauren Kang, Sports Editor • May 26, 2024

Science teacher Kathy Bevill points to the screen while teaching her sixth period biology class in Room 102 on Wednesday, April 24.

HEADING HOME: Science teacher retires after 39 years in the district

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

Graduating as one of the 39 Class of 2024 valedictorians, senior Lauren Sung committed to Smith College, where she will be majoring in economics.

CLASS OF 2024 VALEDICTORIAN Q&A: Lauren Sung

Jiseong Yoo, Data Team Member • May 26, 2024

Senior Keiley Shea stands as one of the 39 Class of 2024 valedictorians. Shea will be attending Rice University, majoring in environmental engineering.

CLASS OF 2024 VALEDICTORIAN Q&A: Keiley Shea

Caroline Shin, Staff Reporter • May 26, 2024

Senior Ryder Robbins stands as one of the 39 Class of 2024 valedictorians. Robbins plans on majoring in public health at the University of California, Irvine.

CLASS OF 2024 VALEDICTORIAN Q&A: Ryder Robbins

Caroline Shin, Staff Reporter • May 26, 2024

Graduating as one of the 39 Class of 2024 valedictorians, senior Thomas Pennella committed to the University of California, Irvine, where he will be majoring in chemical engineering.

CLASS OF 2024 VALEDICTORIAN Q&A: Thomas Pennella

Elise Pak, Staff Reporter • May 26, 2024

Senior Binny Park stands as one of the 39 Class of 2024 valedictorians. Park committed to Cornell University, where she will be majoring in English and chemistry.

CLASS OF 2024 VALEDICTORIAN Q&A: Binny Park

Elise Pak, Staff Reporter • May 26, 2024

Graduating as one of the 39 Class of 2024 valedictorians, senior Aiden Park plans on attending the University of California, Berkeley, as a business major.

CLASS OF 2024 VALEDICTORIAN Q&A: Aiden Park

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

Senior Sue Oh stands as one of the 39 Class of 2024 valedictorians. Oh plans on attending Barnard College as a political science major.

CLASS OF 2024 VALEDICTORIAN Q&A: Sue Oh

Yena Oh, Sports Editor • May 26, 2024

Graduating as the top of her class, senior Mary Nguyen committed to University of California, Irvine, where she will be majoring in biology.

CLASS OF 2024 VALEDICTORIAN Q&A: Mary Nguyen

Yena Oh, Sports Editor • May 25, 2024

As he graduates as the top of his class, senior Justin Luc committed to UCLA where he will major in computer engineering.

CLASS OF 2024 VALEDICTORIAN Q&A: Justin Luc

Jiseong Yoo, Data Team Member • May 25, 2024

Senior Dylan Loh plans on majoring in business and finance at UCLA upon graduating as one of the 39 Class of 2024 valedictorians.

CLASS OF 2024 VALEDICTORIAN Q&A: Dylan Loh

Sua Lee, Videographer • May 25, 2024

Senior Cameron Loh stands as one of the 39 valedictorians of the Class of 2024. Loh committed to UCLA, majoring in business economics.

CLASS OF 2024 VALEDICTORIAN Q&A: Cameron Loh

Sua Lee, Videographer • May 25, 2024

Poll

What’s your favorite TikTok food trend?

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Crumbl Cookies

Logan’s cucumber salad

Wingstop

None; I don’t really care about food trends.

Poll

Would you participate in the three-year college degree programs and potentially graduate college sooner instead of the traditional four years?

Sorry, there was an error loading this poll.

Yes, I would want to save a lot of money by not paying tuition.

Yes, I want to get out of school fast.

Maybe, I’m not too sure and will decide once I am in college.

No, I want my four-year experience.