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The Accolade
Students will have the opportunity to win awards and money by submitting their artwork to the PTSA annual reflections contest based on the theme “I Will Change the World By…”
PTSA to host annual Reflections contest Oct. 22 for eligibility to earn awards and scholarships
Associated Student Body [ASB] community affairs commissioner senior Madeline Liu greets the less than 1,000 crowd in the gym during the Friday, Oct. 15, homecoming assembly. Liu was dressed as Mrs. Potts in keeping with the Oct. 16 homecoming dance theme related to Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.” This was also the first time Sunny Hills ASB organized a triple assembly schedule to meet state COVID-19 guidelines restricting school indoor events to no more than 1,000 in the audience.
More than 1,000 tickets sold for Saturday, Oct. 16, Homecoming ‘Beauty and the Beast’-themed outdoor dance; shatters previous 2016 record of sales for a social
The COVID-19 dashboard provides data on confirmed positive student and staff cases within the Fullerton Joint Union High School District. As of Oct. 7, two students and one staff member from Sunny Hills tested positive compared to La Habra High School, which has the most positive COVID-19 cases among the campuses in the district.
Fullerton Joint Union High School District re-introduces COVID-19 dashboard that reports positive coronavirus cases among students, staff
Of the 1,048 students who decided to take AP tests in the 2020-2021 school year, 233 opted to take them in person on the SH campus. The past year’s tests yielded results that were, overall, lower than those of previous years, and students and teachers agreed that online learning was a main factor for the dip in scores.
Overall AP scores drop in 2021 school year with online learning being the biggest factor for the dip
A screenshot of the Sept. 14 trustees meeting in the Fullerton Joint Union High School District board room. The district’s renewal of its nearly $75,000 contract with Zoom was among the items approved as part of the consent calendar during the meeting.
FJUHSD school board approves one-year Zoom contract renewal for nearly $75,000
Ella Ongkoputro has been named the new food service lead at Sunny Hills, where she will oversee cafeteria operations during the 2021-2022 school year in which all students are eligible for a free breakfast, lunch and take-home dinner meal.
New cafeteria supervisor has decade-long experience in food service industry
New teacher Christian Penuelas (right) calls up his fifth period theater students, sophomore Isabella Castaneda (middle) and freshman Anabelle Kim (left) for a demonstration of an improvisation performance. All drama levels are in one class period.
And action: new theater teacher aims to stage live performances next spring
Junior Luke Hong (left) checks his answers after senior Lucas Zhuang helps him with math homework in Room 45.
Algebra Center offers free math tutoring after school
New English teacher Thomas Butler goes over his goals for the beginning of the school year with his sixth period sophomore honors English class.
Self-published author joins the English teaching ranks at Sunny Hills
Kathryn Aurelio, Class of 2021, sits in front of her laptop to find application information for her college application editing service @collegeessaygals on Instagram. She runs this business with alumni Anika Madan and Amaya Mitchell.
Stressed about college apps?
Music to his ears. Accolade business manager senior Daniel Kong got school officials to create a Google Form that allows students to submit school-appropriate songs for playing on the speakers. Before that, assistant principal Melissa Stinson would play songs from iHeartRadio through the school speakers during break and lunch.
Don’t play the radio, let the students DJ!
Use of autocorrect contributes to worsened spelling in addition to the decline of other critical writing skills.
Autocorrect may spell out disaster for post-pandemic students
In her deep forest green colored dress, senior Minjeong Kim practices curling her hair in front of the mirror before attending the Homecoming dance on Oct. 16 at the Sunny Hills High School quad.
Hey, it’s my first high school dance, and I’ll wear a mask if I have to
Sophomore Irene Sheen eats lunch with her group of fellow 10th grade friends near the math and science wing. Unlike last year’s virtual learning when she typically spent her lunch time in solitude, Sheen appreciates the company of her friends.
Halfway through the fall semester, and I’m so glad as a sophomore to finally get my ‘high school experience’
The recall election of California Gov. Gavin Newsom will be held today on Sept. 14 until 8 p.m. It is expected to cost around $275 million with a total of 46 candidates, including media personality Caitlyn Jenner and conservative radio talk host Larry Elder. However, with many of the candidates inexperienced in politics, the recall election is a waste of time and money for California and Newsom.
Vote No: Newsom’s recall election is wasting everyone’s time and money
Gi Hun (Lee Jung Jae, “Along with the Gods”) brings his dalgona, a honeycomb-like candy, to the light, and discovers a new way to cut out the umbrella shape during ppopgi, the second round of the competition that comprises “Squid Game.”
Though a bit too violent at times, South Korean hit ‘Squid Game’ resonates with all cultures with its accurate portrayals of those in heavy debt
“BookTok,” a subsection of the popular social networking platform TikTok, leads to an increase in students’ interest in books and reading.
BookTok revives students’ love for reading
Everything about Drake’s Certified Lover Boy from its album cover, to its overdone themes and gaudy lyrics makes it worth throwing it in the trash. Kanye West’s Donda, however, should be given a listen because of its fresh sounds and poignant tribute to his mother.
Critic’s Notebook: Kanye West’s Donda dominates over Drake’s Certified Lover Boy
Dean Williams (left), played by Elisha Williams, and Cory Long (right), played by Amari O’Neil, bond over a fishing trip. The ABC TV series, “The Wonder Years,” will make a grand return to the entertainment industry with its reboot set to premiere Wednesday, Sept. 22 at 8:30 p.m.
1980s-1990s ‘The Wonder Years’ reboot features all African-American cast, brings new perspective to life in the ’60s
Marvel’s latest “Shang-Chi” delights with first-time majority Asian American cast
Who will be the first agents of shield?
Outside hitter sophomore Kayla Taylor spikes the ball to score a point against Fullerton Oct.13 in the Sunny Hills gym. Although the Lady Lancers prevailed in their last Freeway League match of the season, they were unable to qualify for CIF playoffs.
Girls volleyball triumphs over Fullerton in three straight sets to win its final match of the season
Setter junior Jacky Woo gets ready to serve the ball against Buena Park High School’s girls volleyball team in an Oct. 5 home game that the Lady Lancers won in straight sets.
Girls volleyball shuts out Buena Park in three straight sets
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
Utility player junior Jeremy Herrera prepares to shoot the ball against La Habra High School in a Wednesday home game. Herrera scored in the Lancers’ 20-19 victory over La Habra High School in the first Freeway League game of the season.
Boys water polo edges La Habra 20-19 in season debut
The Sunny Hills High School vocal ensemble performs a medley from “Beauty and the Beast” in the gym on Oct. 15 during the annual Homecoming assembly.
Photo Gallery: Homecoming Assembly 2021-22
This is the (Lancer) Way: Homecoming Dance
This is the (Lancer) Way: Homecoming Dance
This is the (Lancer) Way: Skipping the Line
This is the (Lancer) Way: Skipping the Line
Bayanihan Club president senior Jonah Alagao dances to Tinikling during Club Rush on Tuesday, Sept. 14 at the quad.
Photo Gallery: Club Rush 2021
Video: Behind the Scenes of Issue 1
School officials and students agree that the decades-old Sunny Hills High School dress code policy is outdated. Meanwhile, the Fullerton Joint Union High School District’s Student Advisory Council is also reviewing this issue for all campuses, including Sunny Hills.
ADDRESSING THE CODE
A prime example of rape culture and its prevalence in society culminated in the medias coverage of the infamous Steubenville rape case, in which the victim was publically shamed for ruining the careers of her rapists who could have otherwise had such promising futures.
Rape culture plagues society; how can we stop it?
Some faculty and students at Fullerton Community College nearby Sunny Hills High School hold a demonstration outside their campus March 25.
Many Sunny Hills Asian students, alumni not surprised by nationwide and countywide series of hate crimes against their ethnicity though the actions remain hurtful
Four Sunny Hills students share their stories of how they contracted COVID-19 throughout the year since the March quarantine.
Coronavirus Testimonies: Students open up about their COVID-19 experiences
An artists rendering of the South Korean comic book cover, Painter of the Night. The series, which features an artist forced to illustrate erotic scenes, has recently grown in popularity.
Normalized sexual assault in media is poisonous for society
The Student News Site of Sunny Hills High School

The Accolade
The Student News Site of Sunny Hills High School

The Accolade
Kate Yang

Kate Yang, Web Managing Editor

After spending her first year on staff as a staff reporter/assistant feature editor, junior Kate Yang looks forward to learning more about the ins and outs of newspaper writing, as well as using such knowledge to further improve The Accolade as the new web managing editor. Yang enjoyed covering monumental moments amid the COVID-19 pandemic last year and hopes to continue her duties by bringing more interesting articles and issues to the student body. As a freshman and sophomore, Yang took part in playing for the girls golf team and will continue to do so as a junior and senior. This year, she will take part in the International Baccalaureate program and take on the role of president for the SHHS Leo Club. She hopes to see more students this year pick up physical copies of The Accolade as well as visit the online website.

All content by Kate Yang
English teacher Tom Wiegman holds up the COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card he received after being vaccinated with the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine in March 2021 and the second dose in April 2021. The Fullerton Joint Union High School District [FJUHSD] sent out an email Sept. 2 to all staff mandating vaccination verification to fulfill a state requirement that the governor signed into law Aug. 11. Anyone working in the FJUHSD who chooses not to be vaccinated must take a COVID-19 test on a weekly basis beginning Oct. 18.

FJUHSD mandates vaccines for entire staff, offers secondary option to test weekly for unvaccinated

October 1, 2021

In compliance with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s new public health order, the Fullerton Joint Union High School District [FJUHSD] announced, through an email sent to students and parents on Sept. 3, its decision...

Dean Williams (left), played by Elisha Williams, and Cory Long (right), played by Amari O’Neil, bond over a fishing trip. The ABC TV series, “The Wonder Years,” will make a grand return to the entertainment industry with its reboot set to premiere Wednesday, Sept. 22 at 8:30 p.m.

1980s-1990s ‘The Wonder Years’ reboot features all African-American cast, brings new perspective to life in the ’60s

September 21, 2021

Six seasons. 115 episodes. One family.  From 1988 to 1993, “The Wonder Years” stole thousands of viewers’ hearts centered on the life of a young teenager, Kevin Arnold, who narrates the series...

Link Crew leaders senior Alyssa Galvez (left) and junior Ellie Kim (right) hand out hot dogs to sophomores Andy Aguirre (left) and Maximiliano Soto (right) at the Sophomore Welcome BBQ held Wednesday, Aug. 11, in the quad.

Sophomores get fed hot dogs and tour the campus with Link Crew leaders since they only had an online orientation last year

August 16, 2021

Since Link Crew was first organized on campus five years ago, its aim has been to train juniors and seniors to become mentors, role models and leaders who guide freshmen along their transition to high...

Senior Dominic Siañez (right) checks in with a South Coast Photography staff member at Lancer Day, Tuesday, Aug. 10, to take his ID picture. Despite the continuing spread of COVID-19’s Delta variant, Siañez will be among the nearly 2,500 students who have enrolled at Sunny Hills for live classroom instruction.

COVID-19 THE SEQUEL: Delta variant doesn’t faze students, parents and staff from getting hyped up about full reopening of school

August 15, 2021

With the Delta variant bringing COVID-19 case numbers up again, students, parents and staff remain excited about the reopening of Sunny Hills High School for live classroom instruction on Monday, Aug....

With the Fullerton Joint Union High School District board of trustees latest directive, Sunny Hills students will be allowed to walk through the front entrance for live classroom instruction four days a week starting April 19. Those learning from home can still continue to do so.

FJUHSD students to be allowed to come to campus four days a week beginning April 19; some still prefer to stay home over COVID-19 health and safety concerns

April 12, 2021

In a split vote, trustees for the Fullerton Joint Union High School District [FJUHSD] have approved allowing students to receive live, in-class instruction four days a week instead of only two beginning...

Chinese Club members sell drinks during a 2018 International Food Fair. The yearly event will be canceled this year because of the pandemic.

Despite reopening of schools, ASB and PTSA plan to host virtual IFF with Google Slides presentations and Virtual International Food Fair

March 14, 2021

Street tacos, samosas and Black Forest cake — the basic starter pack of authentic foods for students at the International Food Fair [IFF] to begin their day celebrating and learning about new cultures....

A guide to the proper steps to take if you experience sexual misconduct.

Social media not the best outlet to report sexual misconduct

February 15, 2021

If you have any questions, comments or concerns about the content of this article, we strongly encourage you to contact us at [email protected] If you wish to report any cases of sexual misconduct,...

Assistant principal Hilda Arredondo (right) gives a wrist band to a student on the first day of hybrid learning last November as part of the schools health and safety protocols. The same procedure will be followed Tuesday as the campus will be opened for the first time in 2021 after trustees for the Fullerton Joint Union High School District had unanimously agreed to do so during their Feb. 2 emergency meeting.

Student, teacher opinions over Tuesday’s 2021 reopening of Sunny Hills campus for live classroom instruction remain mixed

February 14, 2021

This story was updated on Feb. 16 with statistics about the number of students on campus for hybrid learning vs. staying home to learn remotely as well as a quote from a student who originally did not...

Sonya Joyce (left) accepts a bouquet of flowers from head custodian Daniel Rodriguez in February of 2018 when Joyce received the most votes from the Sunny Hills staff for classified employee of the year. The 2017-2018 school year was also when Joyce was first hired as a site technician on campus in charge of servicing technology issues. Joyce retired from the position Jan. 22.

Ex-Sunny Hills employee of year and ‘backbone’ of eSports club, site technician Sonya Joyce makes sudden announcement about her retirement in middle of school year

February 7, 2021

For the two years she’s spent co-advising the Sunny Hills eSports team, Sonya Joyce has always reminded her team members to play with respect, dedication and confidence.  “More than anyone, it...

When hybrid learning resumes for the first time this year on Feb. 16, students will once again be required to enter the Sunny Hills campus through the area between the 20s wing and the administration building so they can have their temperatures scanned. This is what happened when hybrid learning started Nov. 2 as assistant principal John Oldenburg (right) directed one of the students to the next station to get her wristband for the day.

Trustees agree to reopen FJUHSD schools for first time this year on Feb. 16 during a nearly three-hour emergency meeting Tuesday full of verbal jabs from parents, teachers as well as board members

February 4, 2021

In a contentious three-hour meeting featuring verbal swipes from both sides of the reopening schools issue, trustees for the Fullerton Joint Union High School District [FJUHSD] reached unanimous agreement...

For the second time in as many years, the Helios staff earned Crown finalist honors but must wait until March to find out whether or not it will repeat as a Gold Crown winner.

Yearbook named Crown finalist for second straight year

December 9, 2020

For a second consecutive year, a national journalism organization named the Helios yearbook a Crown finalist -- the only program to receive the award in Orange County, and one of three programs in Southern...

Then-junior Vivian Tran cheers on the Lancer football team at Trabuco Hills High School Nov. 23. It’s unclear if fans will be allowed to watch games this season.

Uncertainty remains about fan attendance

November 10, 2020

Running out onto the gridiron amid packed crowds decked out in black and yellow, Sunny Hills football center junior Jacob Neumann still remembers the energy during the 2019-2020 season that ended with...

Sunny Hills staff and custodial crew have placed stickers throughout walkways and walls to remind students returning to school when it opens Monday to social distance, sanitize their hands and keep their masks on.

Students, parents and teachers clash on effectiveness of school opening, safety plan

November 1, 2020

This is the third and final of a series of stories dealing with the scheduled Nov. 2 reopening of Sunny Hills High School and what COVID-19-related safety and health measures the Fullerton Joint Union...

The Winston the Lancer statue sits above the touch-free sanitizing unit placed in the main office in Room 3. Custodians have placed one touch-free sanitizing unit identical to this one in every single classroom for students to utilize as they enter or leave.

Expect to see Safety Hills when hybrid learning starts Nov. 2

October 27, 2020

This is the second of a series of stories dealing with the scheduled Nov. 2 reopening of Sunny Hills High School and what COVID-19-related safety and health measures the Fullerton Joint Union High School...

Senior Kaitlyn Yee swims the 100-yard backstroke during the 2019 Freeway League preliminaries at Troy High School, where she placed first. She then advanced to the 2019 CIF-SS Division 3 finals, where Yee also broke the Sunny Hills record for the 200-yard medley relay alongside her teammates and contributed to her team’s second-place victory.

Game Ball: UC Davis-bound record-setting swimmer traces time in the pool all the way back to when she was 1 year old

October 23, 2020

At 1 year old, many boys and girls are just beginning to learn how to walk. Their first words are usually “mama” or “dada.” On top of those developmental milestones, senior Kaitlyn Yee’s...

Currently being housed in Room 20, the two thermal cameras will be moved under the overhang at the entrance to the main hallway to Sunny Hills Nov. 2, when students and staff will be allowed to return to campus for live classroom instruction as part of the hybrid learning model. The Fullerton Joint Union High School District paid $15,000 for each camera, which will be used to help school officials to easily check the temperatures of students as they arrive on campus.

Nov. 2 reopening of school: Two thermal cameras at $15,000 each among equipment to ensure COVID-19 health and safety for students, staff

October 20, 2020

This is the first of a series of stories dealing with the scheduled Nov. 2 reopening of Sunny Hills High School and what COVID-19-related safety and health measures the Fullerton Joint Union High School...

A sample College Board response email regarding a potential change in scores for Advanced Placement tests.

Sunny Hills students, teachers finding College Board’s not budging much on their appeals regarding low scores from modified online exams

October 2, 2020

This is the second of a two-part series focusing on the May 2020 Advanced Placement [AP] scores released earlier this summer. In response to the coronavirus pandemic that shut down testing locations worldwide,...

An infographic for the national score distribution of AP Human Geography text takers last year.

‘We killed it:’ Sunny Hills principal cites College Board report showing more than three-fourths of students passed their May 2020 Advanced Placement exams — the highest passing percentage over the past four years

September 26, 2020

This is the first of a two-part series focusing on the May 2020 Advanced Placement scores released earlier this summer. In response to the coronavirus pandemic that shut down testing locations worldwide,...

Girls basketball players participate in a Zoom training session on April 20.

Coaches, players use Zoom sessions, self-guided exercise schedules to keep team members fit during state-mandated stay-at-home order

May 22, 2020

They are shut in, but they are not shut out — from staying fit as Sunny Hills student-athletes. Though the spring sports season has been canceled because of COVID-19-related school closures statewide,...

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