Nikko's Burgers
The Student News Site of Sunny Hills High School

The Accolade
Nikko's Burgers
The Student News Site of Sunny Hills High School

The Accolade
Nikko's Burgers
The Student News Site of Sunny Hills High School

The Accolade
Elise Pak

Elise Pak, Opinion Editor

Junior Elise Pak enters her second year on The Accolade staff as the co-Opinion editor. After spending her freshman year in the Journalism 1 class and her sophomore year as a staff reporter, Pak is determined to write impactful stories, strengthen her time management abilities and contribute her passion to the award-winning publication.

Outside of The Accolade, you can find Pak competing in speech and debate tournaments, dancing and taking naps.

All content by Elise Pak
The underclassmen at Sunny Hills are required to stay on school grounds during lunch, whereas upperclassmen have the option to leave. Co-Opinion editors Kyuwon Han and Elise Pak each take their respective stances about whether or not freshmen and sophomores should be allowed to have their meals off campus.

SPITFIRE: Should underclassmen be allowed to have lunch off-campus?

Kyuwon Han and Elise Pak • August 26, 2025

This is Spitfire, a style of head-to-head debates between The Accolade’s two Opinion editors. Kyuwon is blue. Elise is red.  PREVIOUSLY ON SPITFIRE: The former Opinion editors, Kayden Kim and...

Downtown Disney’s new Parkside Market food hall located in 1569 Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, offers customers an indoor space to eat away from the summer heat on Wednesday, May 7.

BREAK BUCKET LIST: 5 Orange County spots to check out this summer

Elise Pak, Opinion Editor • May 15, 2025

Abigail Veyna (left), who plays Charlotte Lucas — a friend of the female lead — talks to senior Kathleen Handley, who plays one of the main characters, Elizabeth Bennet, during their fourth-period rehearsal of the stage version of Jane Austen’s classic novel, Pride and Prejudice on Friday, April 25, in the Performing Arts Center [PAC]. The two-hour-and-15-minute play consisting solely of theater students will debut tonight at 7 in the PAC.

SPRING PLAY PREVIEW: Theater students stage adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel, Pride and Prejudice, debuting tonight

Elise Pak, Opinion Editor • May 1, 2025

For the first time under theater teacher Christian Penuelas’ guidance, a student has been tapped to direct tonight’s debut of the spring play, an adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel, Pride...

The Pak family has a lineage of Accolade recognition in awards, and staff reporter sophomore Elise Pak (bottom) hopes to continue the family tradition.

BEYOND THE AWARD-WINNING CULTURE: Joining the Pak of older siblings on Accolade staff

Elise Pak, Opinion Editor • April 25, 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. First-year staff writer Elise Pak shares how she ended...

Episode 21: SHARK TANK: SH EDITION — Car detailing

Elise Pak and Caroline Shin • April 15, 2025

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3WdcfXPqtDTKCBBsoTNBhF Song: "Making Clouds" by Beat Mekanik

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, Opinion Editor • 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 version that appeared in the Monday, March 24, issue.  The...

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, Opinion Editor • February 20, 2025

It’ll be another decade before The Accolade reaches its diamond jubilee. What will the journalism program look like? Will current adviser Tommy Li stick around for that anniversary issue (he’ll...

Latinx club member senior Sarah Patino spreads out her skirt while performing the Jalisco dance in the quad on Wednesday, Jan. 15. Patino will be among seven cultural clubs performing in the gym for the first time in front of parents and others on the eve of the Friday, Feb. 7, International Week assembly.

For first time, International Week assembly dress rehearsal to become evening performance for parents on Thursday, Feb. 6

Elise Pak, Opinion Editor • February 6, 2025

For the first time, students showcasing their cultures in the annual International Week assembly in the gym will perform in the same building in front of a paying audience the night before on Thursday,...

Episode 16: SH ALUMNI TALK — Math teacher Jina Shia

Elise Pak and Caroline Shin • February 3, 2025

https://open.spotify.com/episode/26xIzEVnP6SLEEcGYKNNQY Song: "Upbeat Corporate Music" by BackgroundMusicForVideos

Senior, base Mackenzy Jung dances during cheer practice after school on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, behind the gym in preparation for their first competition on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025.

CHEER PREVIEW: Lady Lancers prepare for their redemption season

Elise Pak, Opinion Editor • January 11, 2025

Coaches: Patrice France (head coach), Lindsea Britton (assistant coach), Mandy Jung (assistant coach), Monet Taylor (assistant coach) Top Returners: Natalia Alvarez (12), Ashley Arcila (12), Bianca...

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, Opinion Editor • October 16, 2024

For new English teacher and cross country head coach Hannah Batchelor, her path toward joining the education profession took longer than usual – four years, in fact. Even though she grew up with family...

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, Opinion Editor • May 26, 2024

The Class of 2024 produced 39 valedictorians, and The Accolade interviewed each to reflect on their high school journeys and thoughts. This is a full version of the Q&A, of which the preview is included...

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, Opinion Editor • May 26, 2024

The Class of 2024 produced 39 valedictorians, and The Accolade interviewed each to reflect on their high school journeys and thoughts. This is a full version of the Q&A, of which the preview is included...

Freshman Mollie Mclain (left), senior Alison Chan and junior Katie Handley assist in bedazzling costumes for Dancing with the Staff after school in Room 130 on Monday, Dec. 4.

CLUB CORNER: Students revamp clothes and create costumes through SAS Upcycling

Elise Pak, Opinion Editor • January 27, 2024

For the 2023-2024 school year, the Associated Student Body has approved 29 new clubs. The Accolade’s cub reporters from the beginning journalism class will report on each new group in alphabetical order....

Junior Chase Lee poses for a picture on Wednesday, July 5, while on a family fishing trip in Coos bay, Oregon.

CLUB CORNER: Blue Tide reaches out to those interested in catching wave of interest in marine biology

Elise Pak, Opinion Editor • January 12, 2024

For the 2023-2024 school year, the Associated Student Body has approved 29 new clubs. The Accolade’s cub reporters from the beginning journalism class will report on each new group in alphabetical order....

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