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The Student News Site of Sunny Hills High School

The Accolade

The Student News Site of Sunny Hills High School

The Accolade

The Student News Site of Sunny Hills High School

The Accolade

Jaimie Chun

Jaimie Chun, Editor-in-Chief

Senior Jaimie Chun returns excited and grateful to lead The Accolade as the editor-in-chief. Since her first year on staff two years ago, The Accolade newsroom has become a home away from home. She looks forward to each issue, story, audio and video reaching the biggest audience possible and bringing the community together. Chun will continue honing her skills as a journalist to ensure that her storytelling is informative and empathetic. Because of her love for print journalism, she hopes that The Accolade‘s publications will be read by many people and equally appreciated.

When Chun isn’t in the newsroom, you can find her searching to try new food, exploring new music or reading in the nook of her room.

All content by Jaimie Chun
Student teacher CJ Quion begins his presentation on the Russian Revolution on Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, during Period 4 in Room 55.

Despite being hard of hearing, student teacher assures students he is listening

Jaimie Chun, Editor-in-Chief April 3, 2024

World history student teacher Christian James Quion, who also goes by C.J., has a well-nurtured comical sense. From witticism on Gen Z slang to chucklesome play-on-words about singing swords, Quion’s...

Assistant principal Heather Bradley gives instructions to staff and students at the beginning of the Thursday, Feb. 15, evacuation drill.

[Photo] Staff Editorial: Tell us why

The Accolade Editorial Board March 13, 2024

English teacher David Wolf holds up his clipboard, signaling to his second period class where to meet on the basketball courts.

Assistant principal Heather Bradley directs students to their designated grade level areas after gathering with their second period class: freshmen and sophomores separated in the tennis courts and juniors and seniors divided on opposite sides of the pool area.

[Photo] SHAPING STANDARDS: FJUHSD contracts with new company, modifies safety regulations

Nicole Park, Feature Editor March 12, 2024

Seniors wait in the their grade level area on the basketball courts as part of an additional protocol school officials implemented during the Thursday, Feb. 15 evacuation drill.

Latinx club members senior Ian Slobodien holds senior Katie Ortega by the waist as she leans back while grabbing onto his shoulders during their traditional folklórico performance.

[Photo] PHOTO GALLERY: International Week Assembly

Chloe Kang, Sue Kang, Asaph Li, and Noah Lee March 8, 2024

Latinx club members senior Ian Slobodien holds senior Katie Ortega by the waist as she leans back while grabbing onto his shoulders during their traditional folklórico performance.

Members of the eSports club hold handmade cardboard signs to encourage students to purchase the popular Chinese snack called tanghulu, candied fruits on a skewer. The club sold one tanghulu stick for three tickets ($3) and two tanghulu sticks for five tickets ($5).

[Photo] PHOTO GALLERY: International Food Fair

Chloe Kang, Sue Kang, Asaph Li, and Noah Lee March 8, 2024

Members of the eSports club hold handmade cardboard signs to encourage students to purchase the popular Chinese snack called tanghulu, candied fruits on a skewer. The club sold one tanghulu stick for three...

Sunny Hills student section decks out in beach attire for a "Surf’s Up" theme and lets out a cheer at the Friday, Aug. 25, football game.

[Photo] SH student section celebrates being recognized Top 5 among Orange County schools

October 11, 2023

Sunny Hills student section decks out in beach attire for a "Surf’s Up" theme and lets out a cheer at the Friday, Aug. 25, football game.

Sophomore Faith Won writes in her notebook during sixth period English class in Room 64.

UPHILL JOURNEY: Sophomore with muscular myopathy advocates for herself

Jaimie Chun, Editor-in-Chief October 7, 2023

A memorable color that sticks after meeting Won is red — not because that’s the color of her electric wheelchair, rather through her personality. “I like red because it looks clean, bold and straightforward,”...

In the years following the COVID-19 pandemic, Sunny Hills has implemented several new award programs that emphasize character and integrity. The introduction of such honors can have psychological implications, such as boosted self-esteem.

Digital Detox: New awards uplift students’ self-esteem after years of virtual learning

Jaimie Chun and Hannah Lee October 4, 2023

Before the widespread COVID-19 pandemic, the Sunny Hills administration had honored students with academic awards like Student of the Month, Lancer Knight and Rotary Top 100. However, titles of individual...

Nami (left), Monkey D. Luffy and Zoro stand victorious after a battle against marine soldiers and captain Morgan, also known as Axe-Hand Morgan, in episode one of Netflix’s newest live action adaptation of the anime series “One Piece.”

Netflix’s live-action adaptation of popular anime and manga series, ‘One Piece’: a treasure to watch

Jaimie Chun, Editor-in-Chief September 5, 2023

The first episode of the Netflix live action adaptation of the famous Japanese manga, “One Piece,” sets the series up to truly capture the creative and exciting essence of the pirate world filled with...

Students in the Sunny Hills quad walk to their first period classes during the morning drizzle on Monday, Aug. 21, after Southern California’s second tropical storm since 1939 swept through the region the day prior. Superintendent Steve McLaughlin made the decision the night before that all campuses in the Fullerton Joint Union High School District were safe for students and staff to resume the second week of the school year.

Sunny Hills escapes any damage from Tropical Storm Hilary as campus stays open on Monday, Aug. 21

Jaimie Chun, Editor-in-Chief August 22, 2023

While neighboring campuses like California State University, Fullerton [CSUF], and Fullerton College shut down Monday, Aug. 21, out of “an abundance of caution,” the Fullerton Joint Union High School...

Spanish teacher Gene Bordy explains a concept to a student in his third period class May 4. The 2022-
2023 school term marks his
final year as an educator.

SAYING ‘ADIOS’: Spanish teacher retires from alma mater after 22-year teaching career

Jaimie Chun, Editor-in-Chief May 30, 2023

Spanish teacher Gene Bordy’s classroom walls showcase around 50 student-made film posters. Disney’s “Frozen” features a flurry of white alongside a pastel blue. “Dora the Explorer” spotlights...

Senior Yash Thaker stands as one of the 18 valedictorians in the Class of 2023. Continuing his academic journey at the University of California, Irvine, Thaker looks forward to exploring space and the universe. (Illustrations by DaHee Kim)

18 Questions for Top of the 2023 Class: Yash Thaker earns valedictorian status as he prepares to pursue aerospace engineering at UCI

Jaimie Chun, Editor-in-Chief May 27, 2023

Question 1: How do you feel as one of the 18 valedictorians? Answer: It’s alright. Question 2: What are your plans after high school? A: UCI [University of California, Irvine], aerospace engineering,...

Senior Hao Tam Tran dresses in a medical lab coat as she prepares to major in biology at UCLA and holds up the drawing she made for her Advanced Placement Art portfolio in February. (Illustrations by DaHee Kim)

18 Questions for Top of the 2023 Class: Hao Tam Tran looks forward to pre-med track at UCLA while balancing hobbies

Jaimie Chun, Editor-in-Chief May 26, 2023

Question 1: How do you feel as one of the 18 valedictorians? Answer: I feel kind of intimidated because the other valedictorians deserve it much more than me, but I’m glad to see so many familiar...

Senior Lauren Pak displays the code she wrote for her self-made Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders [AAPI] Alliance website that emphasizes the Stop AAPI Hate movement, unites online users of the race and promotes the groups’ businesses. Starting to attend Princeton University this fall, Pak said she will miss the California weather the most. (Illustrations by DaHee Kim)

18 Questions for Top of the 2023 Class: Lauren Pak graduates as valedictorian, looks to pursue computer science at Princeton University

Jaimie Chun, Editor-in-Chief May 26, 2023

Question 1: How do you feel as one of the 18 valedictorians? Answer: Satisfied; I’m glad I survived and can even stand alongside these 17 amazing geniuses. Question 2: What are your plans after...

Senior Jaiminh Park holds chemistry goggles and poses with a lab flask after developing a passion for the subject in high school. (Illustrations by DaHee Kim)

18 Questions for Top of the 2023 Class: Jaiminh Park plans to pursue chemical engineering at UCI after graduating with straight A’s

Jaimie Chun, Editor-in-Chief May 26, 2023

Question 1: How do you feel as one of the 18 valedictorians? Answer: I am honored, of course, and honestly sort of suffering from imposter syndrome to think that I'd be grouped in with people who are...

Senior Jeremy Lee stands with his equipment for wrestling, one of his most meaningful extracurricular activities. He plans to attend Northwestern University, majoring in biomedical engineering. (Illustrations by DaHee Kim)

18 Questions for Top of the 2023 Class: Wrestling team captain Jeremy Lee graduates top of his class before heading off to Northwestern University

Jaimie Chun, Editor-in-Chief May 26, 2023

Question 1: How do you feel as one of the 18 valedictorians? Answer: I feel accomplished to be one of 18 co-valedictorians at our school. Question 2: What are your plans after high school? A:...

Senior Tazia Mohammad holds up her International Baccalaureate Economics notes while wearing the color of the school she committed to. Mohammad will be attending Columbia University to pursue a double major in economics and political science. (Illustrations by DaHee Kim)

18 Questions for Top of the 2023 Class: Tazia Mohammad commits to Columbia University after balancing academic rigor and various extracurriculars

Jaimie Chun, Editor-in-Chief May 26, 2023

Question 1: How do you feel as one of the 18 valedictorians? Answer: These past few months have been kind of rough for me, so receiving this award feels like I’m finally getting a glimpse at the light...

Sophomore Emily Boyer (left), senior Gabriel Villanueva and junior Lara Martinez decorate their faces with Starface patches

GETTING THE STAR TREATMENT: Colorful celestial-themed pimple patches trending with SH students

Jaimie Chun, Editor-in-Chief May 22, 2023

From Korean facial masks and layers of concealer to stacks of transparent pimple patches, senior Gabriel Villanueva has tried a variety of ways to remedy his unpleasant relationship with acne. All of...

On Friday, Feb. 3, CIF unanimously approved flag football to become an official high school sport starting the 2023-2024 academic year. With this news, some Sunny Hills students express hopes of the sport coming to campus.

DELAY OF GAME: Despite CIF’s approval of girls flag football, school officials say Sunny Hills will not field a team

Jaimie Chun, Editor-in-Chief May 17, 2023

Freshman Jennyfer Rodriguez recalls dodging, sidestepping and outmaneuvering her competitors while the yellow strips around her waist fluttered in the wind. That was during PE last year when Rodriguez...

Super Nintendo World, Universal Studios Hollywood's new theme park, presents an immersive game-like experience in the colorful Mario world on a Monday, March 20, visit. The park officially opened on Friday, Feb. 17.

REVIEW: Super Nintendo World wins all stars, despite few banana peels

Jaimie Chun, Editor-in-Chief April 13, 2023

Universal Studios Hollywood’s newest attraction, Super Nintendo World, offers a second-to-none aesthetic and interactive experience that leaves visitors in awe at how perfectly the theme park brings...

With increasing conversation around sexuality and gender identity, couples in the LGBTQ+ community share their experiences with dating.

LGBTQ+ LOVE: Queer couples come forth with their relationships

Jaimie Chun, Editor-in-Chief February 17, 2023

"Since we’re both fruity, let me take your booty to HOCO." Senior Clarissa Arteaga wrote this message in rainbow letters on a large cardstock poster last September.  Arteaga was standing in the...

Artificial intelligence-powered services, such as Grammarly and Mathway, have offered assistance but also methods for cheating. As a result, Sunny Hills staff and students express conflicting opinions about AI's application at school.

SUNNY OR SHADY?: Students, staff reflect on AI’s impact within education

Jaimie Chun, Editor-in-Chief December 5, 2022

Senior Simran Bimb types the last word of her admissions essay for the University of California. Without a moment of hesitation, she highlights her 350-word essay and turns to an assistant that has accompanied...

The surge in accidental fentanyl overdoses among students underscores the need for an enhanced school-based drug education system.

Fentanyl-related deaths call for reform in the FJUHSD’s drug education program

Jaimie Chun, Editor-in-Chief October 25, 2022

From drug prevention speakers advocating for student abstinence to spirited quad activities encouraging mental well-being, Sunny Hills once fueled efforts against the adolescent drug-abuse epidemic.   As...

English teacher and environmental activist Christina Zubko (second from left) stands for a picture with other members of her organization, “Friends of Ormond Beach,” during the California Coastal Cleanup  in September 2019 at Santa Monica Bay.

TEACHER LEISURE: Instructor and environmental activist advocates for protection of Ormond Beach

Jaimie Chun, Editor-in-Chief October 22, 2022

As a new feature, "Teacher Leisure," explores Sunny Hills teachers' hobbies outside of school. What impacts have they made not only on students, but also outside of their classroom? Christina Zubko...

Korean Culture Club's fan dance subgroup practices after school on Wednesday, Sept. 28, for its performance on the Saturday, Oct. 8, Korean Culture Festival that will take place at the Sunny Hills quad.

‘Squid Game,’ K-pop and more for Saturday, Oct. 8, Korean Culture Club festival in the quad

Jaimie Chun, Editor-in-Chief October 7, 2022

The Korean Culture Club [KCC] will hold its free-admission, inaugural Korean Culture Festival on campus Saturday, Oct. 8, in the quad, where the group will showcase such events as K-pop performances and...

Senior Kelsey Kim, a transfer from La Habra High School, draws back her driver during July’s The Cactus Tour in Las Vegas. Kim is considered a top newcomer in the Lady Lancers golf team this season.

GIRLS GOLF PREVIEW: Reigning CIF Division 3 champs strive to keep playing up to par

Jaimie Chun, Editor-in-Chief September 20, 2022

Coaches: Scott Enrico (head coach) Top Returning Players: Oliviah Chavez (10), Angelina Jeong (10), Lauren Lee (11), Yurang Li (11) Top Newcomers: Kelsey Kim (12), Taylor Kim (11) Last Season:...

FROM SONORA TO SUNNY

FROM SONORA TO SUNNY

Jaimie Chun and Hannah Lee September 19, 2022

New assistant principal Heather Bradley from Sonora High School works on athletic clearances in her Room 6 office on Thursday, Aug. 18. Bradley replaces Hilda Arredondo, who accepted an administrative position at La Habra High School.

KICK STARTER: New assistant principal Heather Bradley brings a field of experience in sports, teaching

Jaimie Chun, Editor-in-Chief September 19, 2022

Socks pulled up and shin guards secured. Players’ feet entangled and hands kept away from the ball. The turf field surrounded by spectators’ electrifying cheers and illuminating lights set the...

The Uvalde school massacre in Texas on May 24 among other school shootings calls attention to campus safety measures. Meanwhile, Sunny Hills alongside the Fullerton Joint Union High School District aim to re-evaluate its current guidelines.

RESPONSE TO UVALDE SHOOTING: Fullerton Joint Union High School District creates new school safety position, SH seeks to hire a fourth campus supervisor

Jaimie Chun, Editor-in-Chief September 17, 2022

Sunny Hills underwent an uncommon lockdown in 2019 — its most recent — when Fullerton Police Dispatch received a call regarding two armed males roaming near the campus with  “long rifles” or “BB...

Doctor Strange blasts orange rays in a clash with the Scarlet Witch at the Kamar Taj, the training grounds for mystic art.

‘Doctor Strange 2’ delivers out of the universe experience with unconventional plot

Jaimie Chun, Editor-in-Chief May 17, 2022

Strange plus mad — “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” has the perfect ingredients for a thrilling blockbuster to bewitch viewers with its novel level of gore and character depth. With...

New principal Craig Weinreich, who replaces Allen Whitten, has a conversation on his first day on the job with seniors Lindsay Bridges and Samantha Perez in the quad on April 13. Weinreich said he plans to continue Whitten’s policy of talking with students during break and lunch in order to be accessible with students.

Newly hired principal Craig Weinreich, who was an assistant principal here until 2019, aims to reconnect with students, staff

Jaimie Chun, Editor-in-Chief April 28, 2022

For some veteran faculty members at Sunny Hills, Craig Weinreich is remembered as an up-and-coming English teacher in 1999 and a social science instructor a few years later. While for boosters of the...

In an effort to raise awareness about drug abuse – especially since prom occurs this month in April – students in Friday Night Live [FNL] have organized a new contest addressing the question: “What does drug prevention mean to you?” This part of the FNL flyer shows the varying Starbucks gift card values as prizes for the top three entries.

$45 worth of Starbucks gift cards offered as prizes in new drug prevention contest

Jaimie Chun, Editor-in-Chief April 8, 2022

In an effort to get more students to enter its new drug prevention contest offering three Starbucks gift cards as prizes, Friday Night Live [FNL] has extended its entry deadline to Friday, April 15, club...

Wordle, the once-a-day-game, interests Sunny Hills students and teachers as the game brightens their day.

‘Simple, clear, fun and free’: Clues offered for how Wordle puzzle game has become a hit nationwide

Jaimie Chun, Editor-in-Chief March 18, 2022

For some like sophomore Maximiliano Soto, it’s the allure of beating someone else out to solve a puzzle. “You get a slight ego boost, so you feel good and get that sense of accomplishment,” Soto...

A screenshot of the page that students who fill out the pre-session questionnaire will look at as they wait to be connected with their tutor.

Tutor.com website offers help 24/7 for students in all subjects

Jaimie Chun, Editor-in-Chief March 15, 2022

Junior Sierra Chavez had to memorize the definitions of what seemed like an endless list of terms for Advanced Placement [AP] Language and Composition teacher Teresa McCarty’s 100-words vocabulary test...

This is a screenshot of an email sent from UCLA to Sunny Hills Class of 2021 alumna Meagan Kimbrell informing her of the extension of remote learning. As University of California and many other colleges are opting to go online because of the new Omicron variant, SH alumni experience the limitations of online instruction.

Universities shut down in light of Omicron surges

Jaimie Chun, Editor-in-Chief February 1, 2022

Sporting furry red, plaid pajama pants and an overfit hoodie, Sunny Hills Class of 2021 alumna Anika Madan is ready for her first period class at the University of California, Irvine.  Not exactly...

During new teacher Daniel Flores’ fourth period Video Production class in Room 136, junior Rylee Ortiz (left) plays a quick game of Pac-Man before the bell rings on Friday, Jan. 21. Flores' arcade game is among the items he set up as part of the January theme about pop culture.

From ‘The Wizard of Oz’ movie props to the 1980s Pac-Man arcade game, new video production teacher impresses his students with themed classroom decorations

Jaimie Chun, Editor-in-Chief January 20, 2022

As students walked into the first day of their Regional Occupation Program [ROP] Video Production class in August, they literally entered into a whole new world. Movie posters featuring early 20th century...

Two Sunny Hills students pass out information about the school’s Engineering Pathways to Innovation and Change during the January 2018 Open House in the gym. With a surge over winter break in Omicron variant cases in Orange County, district officials have decided to cancel the Thursday, Jan. 6, Open House – the first in-person one since January 2020 before the coronavirus pandemic hit in March of that same year.

Surge in Omicron COVID-19 variant cases prompt district officials to impose new health and safety protocols, canceling this month’s Open House, sports team dinners and banquets

Jaimie Chun, Editor-in-Chief January 6, 2022

This story was updated on Jan. 7 to reflect new information from school officials and coaches as well as  the number of positive COVID-19 cases among Sunny Hills students based on the school district's...

Principal Allen Whitten takes the podium to welcome visitors to this year’s Back to School Night on Aug. 31. Starting next semester, Whitten will take on a newly created position in the Fullerton Joint Union High School District as the director of Student Services.

After seven years guiding Sunny Hills, principal Allen Whitten gets promotion to new position in the district as director of Student Support Services

Jaimie Chun, Editor-in-Chief December 8, 2021

After serving as principal here for seven years since 2014, the Fullerton Joint Union High School District [FJUHSD] has promoted Allen Whitten to a new position as the FJUHSD’s director of Student Support...

A screenshot of the National Scholastic Press Association's list of high school newspaper Pacemaker finalists with the first one representing California journalism programs being Sunny Hills' The Accolade.

The Accolade newspaper PDF issues from 2020-2021 tapped national Pacemaker finalist – only journalism program in Orange County given such an honor

Jaimie Chun, Editor-in-Chief October 30, 2021

For the first time since 2013, The Accolade has been named a national Pacemaker award finalist based on issues evaluated from the 2020-2021 school year. “This particular recognition has eluded us...

Sophomore Esther Kim sprints to the finish line during the Sunny Hills Wayne Walker Invitational Sept. 25 at Fullerton’s Craig Park. Kim placed fifth in the girls sophomore division.

Sunny Hills boys and girls cross country places consistently across age divisions in the Wayne Walker XC Invitational

Jaimie Chun, Editor-in-Chief October 5, 2021

Four Lancer cross country runners – three boys and one girl – placed in the Top 10 of their 3-mile races at the 27th annual Wayne Walker Invitational at Fullerton’s Craig Park. Although Eastvale's...

The state has started sending special recall election ballot information to registered voters like this one. The name and address have been removed for confidentiality.

Do you qualify to vote in the Sept. 14 special election to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom?

Jaimie Chun, Editor-in-Chief September 3, 2021

Seniors who were born on Sept. 14, 2003, or earlier but missed the Aug. 30 time frame to register to vote for a special election to decide the fate of California Gov. Gavin Newsom will have to wait until...

Jaimie Chun (left) and her 7-year-old brother make gimbap, a Korean dish with cooked rice, eggs, spam, spinach and pickled radish. During the coronavirus pandemic, the two shared this meal last summer.

Finding my identity through the pandemic

Jaimie Chun, Editor-in-Chief May 17, 2021

A few weeks into the pandemic in May 2020, I woke up to a scent that drifted its way up to my room. It was different from the bland whiff of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich I had on my walks to school....

Cub reporter Jaimie Chun (center) slides into third base during a friendly match at Shadow Oak Park in West Covina on Oct. 24. Chun, who has traveled out of state for softball showcases, believes that changes need to be made in order for the competitions to be safe for all.

Houston, we have a problem: Club sports need changes

Jaimie Chun, Editor-in-Chief January 15, 2021

One month ago, I wouldn’t have expected to see myself preparing to board a flight to Houston (with a layover in Las Vegas). But when my club softball coach announced on Sept. that 15 our team would...

Albert Soliguen is the newest coach on the Sunny Hills campus.

Boys volleyball adds new coach for second season

Jaimie Chun, Editor-in-Chief January 2, 2021

After he earned MVP honors at Garden Grove High School in 2009, was recruited to play college-level volleyball at Orange Coast College and led Sonora’s girls volleyball team to a runner-up finish in...

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