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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

Susie Kim

Susie Kim, Web Editor-in-Chief

Entering her final year on staff, senior Susie Kim looks forward to continuing The Accolade's online legacy as the web editor-in-chief. Kim plans on focusing on the frequency of online posting and incorporating more multimedia into stories across each section. After concluding her junior year as the news editor, Kim feels confident in reporting timely news both on and off campus. She is excited to work with this year's staff to continue producing The Accolade's print products.

Outside of spending time in the journalism room, Kim likes competing with her Science Olympiad teammates and listening to music.

All content by Susie Kim
Senior Susie Kim wears the Apple Vision Pro for the first time during a free, reserved session on Sunday, May 5, and feels discomfort from its weight during the experience.

Apple Vision Pro’s underwhelming features aren’t worth the $3,500

Susie Kim, Web Editor-in-Chief May 24, 2024

As graduation rolls around the corner, I hear the same question being asked over and over again: “What do you want for your graduation gift?” Since freshman year, I’d envisioned myself saving...

To celebrate the Columbia Scholastic Press Association’s Crown finalist nomination, The Accolade adviser Tommy Li presents a plastic container of Ferrero Rocher chocolates as a treat for staff members during the fourth period Advanced Journalism class on Wednesday, Dec. 20. Li wanted those on staff to know that regardless of any national award The Accolade will receive on Friday, March 15, he sees them as Gold Crown winners.

The Accolade, Helios earn Crown finalist nominations for second straight year from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association

Susie Kim, Web Editor-in-Chief February 9, 2024

While the Columbia Scholastic Press Association [CSPA] marks its 100th spring convention anniversary in New York next month, The Accolade staff hopes the award ceremony held there will lead to its first...

Contents from the Writers Alliance’s first literary magazine Solarium surround club president and editor-in-chief senior Binny Park, who led the production of the project. Park prepares her club members for the second issue of the literary magazine, which sold over 20 copies with its first edition at the end of last school year.

CLUB CORNER: Writers Alliance publish first literary magazine, Solarium; members aim for second issue release date for May 2024

Susie Kim, Web Editor-in-Chief December 18, 2023

While scrolling through the online Club Rush slideshow during the 2020-2021 school year, then-freshman Binny Park noticed the lack of a creative writing club. Though slightly disappointed, the idea...

The Accolade staff members celebrate the publication's Pacemaker recognition with SunnyD drinks that adviser Tommy Li distributed during fourth period on Monday, Nov. 6, along with a variety of cake pop flavors.

The Accolade wins its 2nd Pacemaker plaque recognizing the nation’s best of the best

Susie Kim, Web Editor-in-Chief November 7, 2023

For the first time in nearly two decades, The Accolade was named a Pacemaker winner for its issues produced in the 2022-2023 school year during the national journalism convention in Boston on Saturday,...

New science teacher Westley Fairall explains Wednesday, Aug. 23, to his fourth period Advanced Placement Environmental Science class in Room 104 how Mono Lake serves as an example of a terminal body of water. Fairall is one of two new science teachers this school year.

STRIKING HOME: Increased student demand brings second ever environmental science teacher to Sunny Hills

Susie Kim, Web Editor-in-Chief October 20, 2023

This is the fifth in a series of profiles on new, full-time instructors hired at Sunny Hills during or before the fall semester of the 2023-2024 school year. Expect more profiles to be posted soon. New...

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.

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

Susie Kim, Web Editor-in-Chief October 11, 2023

With a simple “USA” theme, Sunny Hills students automatically dressed up in red, white and blue attire or came holding the American flag at the Aug. 31 football game at the Buena Park High School stadium. The...

Senior Lynette Ochoa poses with her phone which features the email that she received from Rice University, celebrating her acceptance to the school.

SEIZING DREAMS: QuestBridge fulfills 1st-generation student’s higher education aspirations

Susie Kim, Web Editor-in-Chief June 1, 2023

Senior Lynette Ochoa planned on attending a University of California [UC] school with financial aid as her backup plan after graduating from high school and submitted her application in late November.  “I...

18 Questions for Top of the 2023 Class: Hyejin Cha juggles academic responsibilities to graduate as a valedictorian

18 Questions for Top of the 2023 Class: Hyejin Cha juggles academic responsibilities to graduate as a valedictorian

Susie Kim, Web Editor-in-Chief May 25, 2023

Question 1: How do you feel as one of the 18 valedictorians? Answer: I think it's nice. Question 2: What are your plans after high school? A: University of California, Irvine, for biological science. Question...

After being named homecoming court earlier this school year, senior Claire Chen graduates as a valedictorian and anticipates attending the Nolan School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University. (Illustrations by DaHee Kim)

18 Questions for Top of the 2023 Class: After taking on leadership roles in various school clubs and programs, Claire Chen commits to Cornell University to study hotel administration

Susie Kim, Web Editor-in-Chief May 25, 2023

Question 1: How do you feel as one of the 18 valedictorians? Answer: I feel honored to be one of the valedictorians because I am alongside many talented and hardworking students. It’s also rewarding...

Senior Emma De Leon looks forward to stepping into a new phase in her life at UCLA, majoring in mathematics, though she feels bittersweet about leaving her memories with the Bayanihan Club and Dance 3. (Illustrations by DaHee Kim)

18 Questions for Top of the 2023 Class: Emma De Leon reminisces about her memories as 4-year Dance 3 member, Bayanihan performer after graduating as valedictorian

Susie Kim, Web Editor-in-Chief May 25, 2023

Question 1: How do you feel as one of the 18 valedictorians? Answer: I feel very honored as one of the valedictorians this year. It’s a bit anticlimactic but it’s a goal I’ve been working toward...

Senior Veronica Diaz holds up the first and second-place medals she earned from the world championships with the FIRST Robotics Competition team for the past two years. (Illustrations by DaHee Kim)

18 Questions for Top of the 2023 Class: Veronica Diaz looks forward to attending Carnegie Mellon University for a degree in computer science after representing SH at the FIRST Robotics Competition

Susie Kim, Web Editor-in-Chief May 25, 2023

Question 1: How do you feel as one of the 18 valedictorians? Answer: It’s cool. Question 2: What are your plans after high school? A: I will be attending Carnegie Mellon University, pursuing...

Senior Kaneiya Desai shows a machine learning model he created on his laptop screen that helps classify optical coherence tomography scans. Desai plans on attending the University of California, Berkeley, for bioengineering. (Illustrations by DaHee Kim)

18 Questions for Top of the 2023 Class: Kaneiya Desai aspires to work in the ophthalmic medical field after childhood experience of corneal scarring

Susie Kim, Web Editor-in-Chief May 25, 2023

Question 1: How do you feel as one of the 18 valedictorians? Answer: I feel honored to have received this award and glad that my hard work has paid off. I am very proud of all 18 of us for having made...

Senior DaHee Kim poses with a light-sensor painting she created that bridged her interest in art and engineering. (Illustrations by DaHee Kim)

18 Questions for Top of the 2023 Class: After serving as the graphics editor for The Accolade, DaHee Kim decides to pursue her interest in engineering at Stanford University

Susie Kim, Web Editor-in-Chief May 25, 2023

Question 1: How do you feel as one of the 18 valedictorians? Answer: Excited and tired.  Question 2: What are your plans after high school? A: I'm going to Stanford and planning to major in electrical...

Half a year after its release last November, ChatGPT continues to produce flawed and biased responses. The company’s recent update with GPT-4 continues to raise concerns about the ethicality of fast-paced artificial intelligence developments.

GPT-4 stirs unpredictability in the ‘four’th industrial revolution

Susie Kim, Web Editor-in-Chief May 19, 2023

It was a Friday after school when I had nothing else to do, so I thought I’d play around with Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer [GPT] on my personal laptop. Here’s a transcript of the session: Write...

Principal Craig Weinreich (left) receives a plaque with an engraved inspirational quote from Sunny Hills Class of 1968 reunion committee co-chairman Brad Rawlins as a gift Thursday, March 9, during fourth period by the 30s wing. The quote reads, “Education Is The Passport To The Future Tomorrow Belongs To Those Who Prepare For Today.” Rawlins and nine other graduates from the Class of 1968 reunion committee met on the SH campus to glue nine inspirational quotes on the new benches and tables school officials had purchased through the group's $10,000 donation last summer.

FINISHING TOUCHES: Class of ‘68 reunion committee returns to campus to see new outdoor furniture funded from nearly $10,000 in donations

Susie Kim, Web Editor-in-Chief March 10, 2023

More than a year and two months. That’s how long the Sunny Hills Class of 1968 spent fundraising and initiating campus improvements for its alma mater. Raising over $9,500 in eight months, the...

Astrology gains increasing popularity among teenage audiences. As more Sunny Hills students probe their astrological placements, they consider how zodiac sign compatibility may affect their romantic relationships.

Searching the stars: SH students look into astrological signs to determine romantic compatibility and similarity

Susie Kim, Web Editor-in-Chief February 8, 2023

When it comes to seeking compatibility in a friendship or one’s love life, gone are the days when Sunny Hills students are asking each other, “What is your MBTI?” The use of the Myers Briggs Type...

Juniors Karen Huang (left) and Susie Kim make final adjustments to their Scrambler, which consists of an energy propulsion system and vehicle, before the eight-minute time limit to test the device at the Great Oak Science Olympiad Invitational Saturday, Dec. 3, in the Great Oak High School Performing Art Center in Temecula. Huang and Kim placed sixth in this category.

Reviving my Science Olympiad spirit after my first in-person competition in over two years

Susie Kim, Web Editor-in-Chief January 9, 2023

February 15, 2020. That was the day my middle school Science Olympiad team placed fifth at the Orange County Regional competition, qualifying us for the Southern California state tournament. It also...

Power forward junior Silvia Lee prepares to shoot the ball in a drill during her Nov. 15 practice after school in the Sunny Hills gym.

GIRLS BASKETBALL PREVIEW: Lady Lancers strive for better team play, league championship title

Susie Kim, Web Editor-in-Chief December 22, 2022

Coaches: Jae Byun (head coach), Christina Chong (assistant coach), Andrew Guavera (assistant coach), Christopher Vogt (assistant coach) Top Returning Players: Erin Choi (11), Natalie Do (11), Rebecca...

With user-inputted keywords such as "robot" and "hand," two separate artificially intelligent websites produced the humanoid and palm images in under 20 seconds. The hand reaches out to the blue automation, offering its acceptance into an emerging world of technology.

AI revolution sparks technological advancements, student interest

Susie Kim, Web Editor-in-Chief December 12, 2022

iPhone user: “Hey Siri, what is artificial intelligence?” Siri: “Here’s some information.”  Siri responds, providing one source from Apple’s built-in Siri Knowledge and two links from...

Sunny Hills alumna Dawn Shanks gives a TED Talk to an audience in Natick, Massachusetts about her experiences leaving an evangelical cult in January of 2018. TEDx Talks channel posted her March 6, 2018, and the video accumulated over 3.8 million views.

THANKFUL TO GET OUT: One of the artists behind the breezeway mural speaks up about how she ended up with the offer of a lifetime to tell her story

Susie Kim, Web Editor-in-Chief December 6, 2022

Just before the end of the 1995-1996 school year, around five students participated in a mural-painting project between the main breezeway here on campus. Now, 26 years later and with Thanksgiving approaching...

With a rise in fentanyl-related deaths across the Los Angeles Unified School District, students feel concern for drug-laced Halloween treats and SH administrators disclose new campus procedures to keep students safe.

SPOILED SWEETS: SH administrators respond to fentanyl overdose cases

Susie Kim, Web Editor-in-Chief October 20, 2022

Following at least seven fentanyl-related overdoses in the Los Angeles Unified School District [LAUSD] and one death in Fullerton, Sunny Hills administrators hold concerns and implement additional safety...

MURAL FEATURE PIC

DID YOU KNOW? Breezeway mural’s origins a mystery to many

Susie Kim, Web Editor-in-Chief October 13, 2022

As a continuing feature from last semester, The Accolade investigates some of the mysterious spots on campus. For this issue, we look into the origins of the breezeway mural in between the 10s and 20s...

New computer science teacher Sonya Joyce instructs freshman Adrian Rodriguez about using the “println” statement to output the code correctly during her third period Coding and Gaming class in Room 44 Sept. 14.

HAPPY RETURNS: Former site tech starts first year as Sunny Hills’ computer science and coding and gaming teacher

Susie Kim, Web Editor-in-Chief September 21, 2022

Named Sunny Hills classified employee of the year for the 2017-2018 school year. Nominated for the Above and Beyond Award from the Special Education Local Plan Area in 2019. Helped guide the school’s...

For the 2022-2023 school year, Peter Karavedas makes the move from social science teacher and former head football coach to an assistant principal at Sunny Hills.

CALLING AN AUDIBLE: Ex-football head coach/social science teacher starts 2022-2023 school year as SH’s new assistant principal

Susie Kim, Web Editor-in-Chief August 14, 2022

This is the first of a series of feature profiles of new, full-time teachers or administrators at Sunny Hills High School for the 2022-2023 school year. Subsequent stories will be posted soon in the Feature...

Writers Alliance president sophomore Binny Park (left) discusses possible names for their literary magazine with sophomores Hannah Choi (middle) and Chloe Chun during a lunch meeting May 9.

Teen writers aim to get first literary magazine printed

Susie Kim, Web Editor-in-Chief May 18, 2022

Summer of 1983. That was the last time Sunny Hills students produced a magazine featuring literary and long form journalism pieces. Sold for $1 per issue, the Excalibur came out once per season and...

Officials release the 2022-2023 bell schedule via email Thursday with first period starting at 8:30 a.m.

Lunch before break?

Susie Kim, Web Editor-in-Chief April 22, 2022

The administration announced the new bell schedule to accommodate Senate Bill 328 for the 2022-2023 school year Thursday via email after school, drawing mixed reactions among students and faculty.   “I...

Member junior Thaddaeus Kiker(right) and co-captain Dahee Kim compete in the Detector Building event during the Feb. 26 online satellite Southern California Joint Regional Science Olympiad tournament. The team places sixth overall and will advance to compete at the state level April 2.

[Photo] Sunny Hills Science Olympiad team advances to state tournament April 2

March 28, 2022

Member junior Thaddaeus Kiker(right) and co-captain Dahee Kim compete in the Detector Building event during the Feb. 26 online satellite Southern California Joint Regional Science Olympiad tournament....

Sophomore Julia Bautista makes a snack purchase on March 3 from the vending machine in the quad because it was during lunch time. The dispensers are turned off during certain class times and display a message alerting students when sales are available.

Students can now only make purchases on vending machines during certain class times

Susie Kim, Web Editor-in-Chief March 8, 2022

Some students were disappointed upon finding out last week that school officials had initiated the implementation of timers on the campus’s three snack and three beverage vending machines — prohibiting...

Newly hired College and Career guidance technician Genesis Perez organizes paperwork containing information about the PSAT on her rotating display in Room 2. Perez welcomes all students to visit her office anytime to look for information about post-high school and college opportunities.

New College and Career Center tech has multifaceted, educational background

Susie Kim, Web Editor-in-Chief February 15, 2022

Genesis Perez recalled the importance of joining her campus’s band at Anaheim High School, where she graduated in 2007. “The teamwork and collaboration I learned from band is important not only...

The Sunny Hills Helios yearbook program has earned its fourth Pacemaker finalist nomination by the National Scholastic Press Association [NSPA]. The latest recognition – posted on the NSPA website Dec. 16 during final exam week last semester – is based on the 2020-2021 annual titled, “Don’t Stop Now. You Haven’t Tried This.” The staff will find out whether it’s a Pacemaker winner during the NSPA’s convention April 7-9 in Los Angeles.

For the second time in three years, Helios named Pacemaker finalist for 2020-2021 yearbook

Susie Kim, Web Editor-in-Chief February 4, 2022

This story was updated with new information on Feb. 7 at 3:20 p.m. Of the 29 Helios staff members during the 2020-2021 hybrid/distance learning school year, only three students attended school in person....

 Disneyland visitors remove their masks while in the dining area on July 15. Though tables are spaced out, workers must keep face coverings on at all times. During sophomore Susie Kim’s visit to the park, most guests remained without face coverings following the lift of COVID-19 mandates beginning June 15, which made her feel uncomfortable.

Mickey Mouse or Harry Potter? I choose the Happiest Place on Earth to have more impressive COVID-19 regulations

Susie Kim, Web Editor-in-Chief December 6, 2021

My middle school’s Class of 2020 was hit with immense disappointment when all our end-of-the-year activities were canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Especially since most of us attended...

Some Class of 1968 members return to their alma mater to check out the modernized look of the campus, including the giant “S” and “H” in the center of the quad stage. The group of five alumni plan to host a fundraiser starting on Dec. 1 with the hopes of donating benches for students around the campus.

Paying it forward – Class of 1968 organizes email fundraiser among alma mater with proceeds going back to Sunny Hills for campus needs

Susie Kim, Web Editor-in-Chief November 17, 2021

The Class of 1968’s reunion committee decided to organize a fundraiser from Dec. 1-July 9 with all proceeds going to Sunny Hills for school officials to spend on campus needs, said some of its members...

Saturday school begins for the first time since March 2020 during the first week of October in Room 83 for students with unexcused absences or excessive tardies.

Officials re-institute Saturday school — emphasis on value of attending classes

Susie Kim, Web Editor-in-Chief November 4, 2021

For the first time since the COVID-19 campus lockdown in March 2020, school officials have restarted this month in two rooms on campus Saturday school, a consequence given to students with attendance issues.  “Saturday...

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

Susie Kim, Web Editor-in-Chief October 11, 2021

In an effort to be more transparent about students and staff testing positive for COVID-19, the Fullerton Joint Union High School District [FJUHSD] has created a digital dashboard that records the number...

This spray-painted message appears to be a reaction to the Friday, Oct. 1, statewide mandate from California Gov. Gavin Newsom that requires students 12 and older in public and private schools to be fully vaccinated by as soon as January 2022. Students and motorists who use the path that leads to the back of Target at Fullerton Town Center discovered the graffiti on a wall between Friday, Oct. 1, and Monday, Oct. 4 – about a mile away from one of the entrances to Sunny Hills. By after school Wednesday, Oct. 6, the message was wiped away.

Most in Sunny Hills community approve of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s statewide

Susie Kim, Web Editor-in-Chief October 7, 2021

While the Fullerton Joint Union High School District [FJUHSD] opted not to follow the Los Angeles Unified School District’s [LAUSD] recent decision to issue a COVID-19 vaccination mandate for all of...

The Accolade adviser Tommy Li submitted the Oct. 30 “Photo Finish” (left) and Dec. 14 “Wonder Women 2021” PDF print issues to the Southern California Journalism Awards contest sponsored by the Los Angeles Press Club and was named a finalist for Best High School paper for a fifth year straight.

The Accolade’s online site named finalist for first time in LA Press Club’s SoCal Journalism Awards contest

Susie Kim, Web Editor-in-Chief August 31, 2021

For the first time, The Accolade’s online platform has been named a finalist for Best High School News Website in the Los Angeles Press Club’s 63rd annual Southern California Journalism Awards. “I...

Senior Ashley Hoang (left) hands over her spirit wear form to senior Elaine Chu during Lancer Day on Aug. 10. The Aug. 10-released school health and safety guidelines now allow anyone on campus to be mask-free when outdoors.

New 2021-2022 campus health and safety protocols ease anxiety for several students, staff returning for live classroom instruction

Susie Kim, Web Editor-in-Chief August 19, 2021

Sophomore Benjamin Blodgett had been coming to the Sunny Hills campus for hybrid learning last school year and was well-aware of the school’s health and safety protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic. So...

The Accolade's Feb. 19 (left) and March 13 issues received Top 10 recognition in a recent Best of Show contest sponsored by the National Scholastic Press Association during a virtual spring journalism convention in April.

2 Accolade issues earn Top 10 recognition in National Scholastic Press Association’s Best of Show contests

Susie Kim, Web Editor-in-Chief May 8, 2021

The Accolade placed third at the Spring National High School Journalism Convention's Best of Show contest for Tabloid newspapers, 16 pages or fewer, with the Feb. 19 “Broken Boundaries” issue and eighth...

Though many seniors have chosen to stay home instead of coming to campus four days a week, many traditional events like nominating a homecoming court are returning for them.

Seniors need to set example, come to school

Susie Kim, Web Editor-in-Chief April 27, 2021

“Maybe it is just my busy schedule with [Advanced Placement] and [International Baccalaureate] classes that it has not really sunk in that I have been missing all these [senior] activities,” senior...

This is the front cover of the Google slide awards presentation that announced The Accolade's online news website as winning first place for the California All-Stars contest sponsored by the Southern California Journalism Education Association. The Accolade placed second in the newspaper category and tied for second with Irvine's Northwood High School in the Student Media Contests' sweepstakes category.

Accolade’s online website takes first place in California All-Stars journalism contest; newspaper and team of staffers take second-place honors

Susie Kim, Web Editor-in-Chief April 10, 2021

After sweeping the Best of Show categories for print and online news in a regional journalism contest earlier this year, The Accolade came close to pulling off the same feat at the state level. The...

Singer Billie Eilish performs at the 2019 Pukkelpop Festival in Kiewit, Belgium. Eilish is responsible for hits like "My Future."

Quarantine changes taste in music for some students

Susie Kim, Web Editor-in-Chief December 25, 2020

The papers say it's doomsday The button has been pressed We’re gonna nuke each other up boys ‘Til old Satan stands impressed This is part of the first verse in singer Matt Maltese’s...

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