Katie Leem

Katie Leem, Photo Editor

After her first year on The Accolade staff as a photographer, senior Katie Leem is excited to return as the photo editor for the new school year. Leem hopes to spend her final year capturing precious moments on campus.

Besides taking photos, Leem enjoys building 3D puzzles and hanging out with her friends.

All content by Katie Leem

From 295 pages to 32

Katie Leem, Photo Editor • May 22, 2026

The first time I picked up a camera was in sixth grade during my yearbook elective class. Working with such an intricate device delighted me, and the fact that I could capture my middle school memories...

[Photo] FAREWELL AND ‘FAIL’ WELL?: Teachers warn 'senioritis' can lead to skipped classes, slipping grades

May 13, 2026

Senior Justine Ueno sits at the lunch tables next to Room 37, appearing disengaged as she experiences “senioritis,” a common drop in motivation among seniors.

Photos of the Week (4/13-4/17)

Katie Leem, Brianna Schroeder, and Siriana Thampi • April 20, 2026

[Photo] Q&A: Pop-punk band spreads passion and inspiration through music

Ellen Hwang, Sports Editor • April 14, 2026

New Reputations member junior Mollie Mclain plays the bass during the band's performance at the Conservatory of Fine Arts’ Fall Festival on Wednesday, Oct. 29.

Photos of the Week (4/6-4/10)

Katie Leem, Brianna Schroeder, and Siriana Thampi • April 13, 2026

[Photo] PROM PREVIEW: ‘Where Paths Cross Paris”-themed dance plans to go international at AV Irvine Saturday, April 11

Nicole Park, Editor-in-Chief • April 10, 2026

Senior Abigail Veyna (middle) competes alongside fellow prom court members in a musical chairs game Thursday, April 9, in the quad as part of prom week festivities.

[Photo] SOFTBALL PREVIEW: Lady Lancers aim for the league title with redemption in mind

April 2, 2026

Sophomore Giada Zuniga prepares to throw a ball during an afterschool practice at the Sunny Hills softball field on Friday, Feb. 27.

Photos of the Week (3/9-3/13)

Katie Leem, Brianna Schroeder, and Siriana Thampi • March 20, 2026

[Photo] DID YOU KNOW? International Food Fair continues to blossom as schoolwide event after beginning as a solution to shift campus demographics

Ellen Hwang, Sports Editor • March 13, 2026

Senior Olivia Nguyen performs a traditional Chinese fan dance with fellow Chinese Club members during the annual IFF assembly on Friday, Feb. 6.

[Photo] BOYS VOLLEYBALL PREVIEW: Lancers work on strengthening team chemistry in hopes of winning sixth consecutive league title

Ellen Hwang, Sports Editor • March 12, 2026

Libero senior Jacob Sueki jumps to hit the ball during a game against Long Beach Polytechnic High School on Wednesday, March 4.

[Photo] BASEBALL PREVIEW: Lancers bounce back from last season with new changes

March 12, 2026

Pitcher senior Dylan Erickson prepares to throw a strike during a home boys baseball game against Rowland High School on Wednesday, March 4, after school. The Lancers fell short with a score of 5-6.

Photos of the Week: (3/2-3/6)

Katie Leem, Brianna Schroeder, and Siriana Thampi • March 8, 2026

Photos of the Week: (2/17-2/20)

Katie Leem, Brianna Schroeder, and Siriana Thampi • February 28, 2026

Photos of the Week: (2/10-2/13)

Katie Leem, Brianna Schroeder, and Siriana Thampi • February 28, 2026

Photos of the Week: (2/2-2/6)

Katie Leem, Siriana Thampi, and Brianna Schroeder • February 28, 2026

[Photo] Rewinding the past

February 20, 2026

English teacher David Wolf watches from his VCR player in Room 37 on Thursday, Feb. 5.

[Photo] Journalism, yearbook programs find out next month if each will win Gold

February 6, 2026

Helios adviser Lindsay Safe holds her finalist-nominated 2024-2025 yearbook, “It Starts With You,” on Friday, Feb. 6, in front of the Lyceum.

[Photo] Girls basketball seek to land playoff spot after falling to Troy in league matchup

Amy Lim, Staff Reporter • February 6, 2026

Power forward senior Arianna Holguin dribbles her way to the basket as she pushes past a defender on Tuesday, Feb. 3, at the Sunny Hills gym.

Photos of the Week: (1/26-1/30)

Katie Leem, Brianna Schroeder, and Siriana Thampi • February 2, 2026

Photos of the Week: (1/20-1/23)

Katie Leem and Brianna Schroeder • January 29, 2026

Photos of the Week: (1/12-1/16)

Katie Leem, Brianna Schroeder, and Siriana Thampi • January 29, 2026

Photos of the Week: (1/5-1/9)

Katie Leem, Brianna Schroeder, and Sirana Thampi • January 29, 2026

[Photo] GIRLS SOCCER PREVIEW: Lady Lancers push for repeat success in tougher league

January 12, 2026

Sophomore Jacqueline Quintero (right) prepares to kick the soccer ball while training at the track field on Monday, Dec. 15.

[Photo] FLAG FOOTBALL WRAP-UP: Lady Lancers advance to CIF-SS for the first time, end as quarterfinalists.

Sua Lee, Staff Reporter • December 11, 2025

enter junior Saraya Jhawar sprints with the ball, dodging a Foothill High School defender during the Wednesday, Oct. 1 home flag football game, where Sunny Hills lost 22-7.

[Photo] FUNDING FREEZE: Federal funding delays raise concerns about FAFSA processing, SNAP benefits

Sua Lee, Staff Reporter • December 15, 2025

Senior Ashley Moon reviews her Free Application for Federal Student Aid application on Thursday, Dec. 4. Moon was one of the many students concerned for the recent government shutdown’s effect on federal...

[Photo] LAW AND ORDER: New state senate bill encourages higher college admission rates to California State Universities for Class of 2027

Irene Park, Editor-in-Chief • December 15, 2025

Sophomore Joel Lee (right) talks to California State University Sacramento representative Dianna Hurtado during lunch on Thursday, Nov. 20. (Katie Leem)

Photos of the Week: (12/1-12/5)

Katie Leem, Brianna Schroeder, and Sirana Thampi • December 7, 2025

Photos of the Week: (11/17-11/21)

Katie Leem, Brianna Schroeder, Siriana Thampi, and Irene Park • December 7, 2025

Photos of the Week: (11/10-11/14)

Katie Leem, Brianna Schroeder, and Siriana Thampi • December 7, 2025

[Photo] HEAD TO HEAD: Are paper books better than eReaders?

November 21, 2025

Senior Soojin Cho (left) and junior Ashley Kang debate the benefits of eReaders vs. traditional print books.

[Photo] STAFF EDITORIAL: Addition of homecoming king opens doors to more schoolwide participation

November 19, 2025

Homecoming king nominee, senior Caleb Solis, walks down the red carpet during the homecoming assembly on Thursday, Oct. 31.

[Photo] GAMEBALL: Senior volleyball player verbally commits to Pomona College

November 17, 2025

Outside hitter senior Kayla Thienprasiddhi serves the ball during a home game against Cypress High School after school in the gym on Thursday, Oct. 9.

[Photo] K-POPPING INTO ACTION: New K-pop group debuts with performance at Sunny Hills

November 14, 2025

fiveALIVE members Jia, Bay, Ciara (center), Nini and Ellie perform their debut single "Queendom" in the gym during break on Friday, Nov. 14.

Photos of the Week: (11/4-11/7)

Katie Leem, Brianna Schroeder, and Siriana Thampi • November 9, 2025

Photos of the Week: (10/27-10/31)

Katie Leem and Siriana Thampi • November 2, 2025

Photos of the Week: (10/20-10/24)

Siriana Thampi, Katie Leem, and Brianna Schroeder • October 31, 2025

Photos of the Week: (10/13-10/17)

Katie Leem, Brianna Schroeder, Siriana Thampi, and Irene Park • October 18, 2025

Photos of the Week: (10/6-10/10)

Katie Leem, Brianna Schroeder, and Siriana Thampi • October 12, 2025

Photos of the Week: (9/29-10/3)

Katie Leem, Irene Park, Nicole Park, Brianna Schroeder, and Siriana Thampi • October 4, 2025

[Photo] ANOTHER ACCOLADE FOR THE ACCOLADE: For a third straight year, journalism program earns nomination for national award

Ashley Kang, News Editor • October 7, 2025

Co-Sports editor junior Ellen Hwang hands staff reporter junior Tatiana Galvez a Good News bar on Thursday, Sept. 11 — part of the program’s ongoing tradition of celebrating recognitions and awards....