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
Irene Sheen

Irene Sheen, Managing Editor

After spending her junior year on staff as the special sections editor, senior Irene Sheen is excited to contribute to The Accolade as the next managing editor. During her final year of high school, she strives to strengthen her writing expertise, and most importantly, enhance the publication’s print products. With a profound passion for political reform and civic engagement, the journalist also intends to use this platform to facilitate conversations on social and cultural issues.

Outside of Room 138, Sheen takes pleasure in binging movies, baking bread, exploring cafes and experimenting with her nails.

All content by Irene Sheen
Social media platforms may be utilized to broaden the horizons of women (left), but it can also degrade users' self-esteem and confidence.

HEAD TO HEAD: How does social media allow women to express themselves?

Nicole Park and Irene Sheen • May 15, 2024

The Sun family sans the patriarch gather to come up with an important plan in Episode 5, “The Rolodex.”

STREAMING SERIES REVIEW: Netflix’s action-comedy with an Asian bent packs a punch with compelling brother dynamics

Irene Sheen, Managing Editor • February 17, 2024

With flawlessly timed comedic reliefs and cut-throat action scenes, Netflix’s latest drama series, “The Brothers Sun,” sets the standard for perfecting the balance between wit and crime. Consisting...

After the U.S. Supreme Court banned affirmative action on Thursday, June 29, critics of legacy admits have expressed concerns over the credibility of college admission traditions. Johns Hopkins University and Pomona College are among numerous U.S. institutions that have prohibited legacy admissions.

Legacy admissions face scrutiny amid ban of race-conscious practices

Irene Sheen, Managing Editor • December 8, 2023

Celebrated as one of eight prestigious Ivy League institutions, Dartmouth College highlights its exceptionally selective admissions and acclaimed education programs.  But earning recognition among...

Mental health specialist Staci Balliet works on her computer during sixth period on Nov. 13 in Room 20, The Sunny Spot.

DARE TO DREAM: New full-time mental health specialist rekindles her childhood ambitions

Irene Sheen, Managing Editor • December 5, 2023

By a twist of fate, this past summer, Staci Balliet stumbled upon a time capsule dating back to her elementary school years. Unlocking the contents of her personal archive, Balliet revealed that her...

Protesters, especially in South Korea and China, have expressed their concerns over Japan’s radioactive wastewater release, which occurred Thursday, Aug. 24, and will continue as a 30-year project. The Chinese government, for example, has banned Japan’s import of fish and other seafood.

Japan’s release of radioactive wastewater troubling despite International Atomic Energy Agency’s approval

Irene Sheen, Managing Editor • August 23, 2023

Waving picket signs and banners marked with the words, “Don’t nuke the Pacific,” for the past few months, protesters have gathered by the streets of Japan to rally against the country’s daring...

Senior Jake Merioles paints an image of a tree by the the Lyceum April 18. The painting is a continuation of his outdoor art ventures.

IMPRESSIVE STROKES: Campus painter signs off with an easel and paintbrush in hand

Irene Sheen, Managing Editor • June 1, 2023

The crowd roars for the Lancers’ last sprint to the goalpost. As the football stands rattle from the hundreds of feet stomping against the steel slate, one student’s easel stands unbending.  Earning...

Notorious assassin and MK’s highest-ranked killer Gil Bok-soon (left), played by Jeon Do-yeon, makes a grand entrance into the company’s training grounds.

Newest Netflix film ‘Kill Boksoon’ makes a refreshing stab at representing female assassins and motherhood

Irene Sheen, Managing Editor • April 24, 2023

Despite the South Korean film industry’s favorite cliche, the struggling single mother trope, Netflix’s Korean action movie, “Kill Boksoon,” offers a fresh perspective on female protagonists and...

GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD PREVIEW: Lady Lancers hope to run away with track and field league title, qualify for CIF

Irene Sheen, Managing Editor • March 6, 2023

Coaches: Jacob Holloway (head coach), Ashley Bordy (assistant coach), Kyle Calderon (assistant coach), Rick Holloway (assistant coach), Andrew Guevara (assistant coach), Jordan Brinkley (assistant coach), ...

Wealthy celebrities including Kim Kardashian and David Beckham benefit from their famous family name. As nepotism babies plague Hollywood, netizens question the importance of meritocracy in America.

America’s meritocracy problem manifests in nepo babies

Irene Sheen, Managing Editor • February 15, 2023

Born the first child of two A-list celebrities, David and Victoria Beckham, you’re afforded outlandish privilege and exceptional opportunities.   After exploring a plethora of temporary career paths,...

With changing Generation Z dating norms, more Sunny Hills students experiment with online relationships. Students and university professors offer their input to navigating teenage romance on the Internet.

Toss the old-school letters; online dating is in-style

Irene Sheen, Managing Editor • February 15, 2023

During the peak of the COVID-19 lockdown when social interactions were limited to technological forums, the multiplayer online game, Among Us, earned its title as an instant cultural phenomenon.  With...

Advancements in artificial intelligence technology initiate changes in the entertainment industry. FN Meka, Holly Herndon and Darth Vader are just a few of the many examples of AI integration in music and film.

AI powers new age of talent

Irene Sheen, Managing Editor • December 7, 2022

Neon green braids, face tattoos, gold chains and grillz — although he embodies the physical traits of a stereotypical American rapper, he is quite literally detached from the human world.  Powered...

Setter senior Stacy Kim jumps up to block the oncoming ball during the second set of the CIF-SS playoffs against The Archer School for Girls on Oct. 22. The Lady Lancers won the match 3-0, which qualifies them for the quarterfinal round on Wednesday, Oct. 26.

Girls volleyball advances to CIF-SS quarterfinals after sweeping The Archer School for Girls

Irene Sheen, Managing Editor • October 24, 2022

Winning in straight sets at home against The Archer School for Girls Panthers on Saturday, Oct. 22, the girls volleyball team heads to its first CIF-SS quarterfinals match since 2016. “It’s phenomenal,...

An artist's rendition of the image of a true "clean girl" — minimal makeup and jewelry, pale and clear skin and slicked-back hair.

The toxicities of becoming a ‘clean girl’: TikTok trend rips women of color of their culture

Irene Sheen, Managing Editor • September 20, 2022

For the past few years, the social media platform TikTok has proved to be a powerhouse of trends ranging from one-pan feta pasta recipes to coquette fashion aesthetics.   Garnering over 650 million...

On the first day of school, students make their way through the 80s building hallway during lunch, which occurs before break because of the new bell schedule. To meet a recently passed state law, all public high schools starting this school year have to start no earlier than 8:30 a.m. – zero period exempted.

New bell schedule results so far? More students awake in classes; more time for ASB, club activities during an earlier lunch start

Irene Sheen, Managing Editor • August 30, 2022

On the first day of school back on campus for the 2022-2023 academic year, students and faculty members expressed conflicting opinions regarding the school’s newly adjusted bell schedule. “Anytime...

Spanish teacher John Marvin makes sure he finishes the spring semester strong as he sits in front of his computer screen in Room 85 after issuing tests for his fifth period Spanish 1 class on Friday, May 20. After 38 years working here as a Spanish teacher, Marvin retired at the end of the 2021-2022 school year.

Spanish teacher says adios to students, staff for the last time, retiring after a 38-year tenure

Irene Sheen, Managing Editor • June 8, 2022

Born and raised in the windy city of Chicago, Spanish teacher John Marvin said he grew up embracing all things mid-Americana. It wasn’t until the 1960s, when he and his family moved out West and settled...

Apple TV+’s “Pachinko” focuses on generations of a Korean family dating back to World War II.

‘Pachinko’s’ references to bitter history between Korea, Japan makes it a must-see

Irene Sheen, Managing Editor • May 16, 2022

Shah-la, la-la-la-la live for today.  With The Grass Roots’ timeless 1967 rock classic, “Let’s Live For Today,” playing in the background, the camera captures cast members flaunting their disco...

A screenshot of part of the virtual Crown awards presentation Friday, March 18, from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association [CSPA], which announced The Accolade as earning a Silver Crown -- the journalism program's third such award since the 2005-2006 school year. CSPA officials chose to highlight the cover of the April 30, 2021, issue with judges' comments displayed to the right.

Columbia Scholastic Press Association awards The Accolade its third Silver Crown

Irene Sheen, Managing Editor • April 1, 2022

The third time didn’t end up being the charm for The Accolade journalism program as it was recognized before spring break as a Silver Crown winner by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association [CSPA]...

News Whitten departure reaction

SH community anticipate new principal who embodies Whitten’s core characteristics

Irene Sheen, Managing Editor • February 16, 2022

Following the December email announcement bearing news of former principal Allen Whitten’s departure, SH community members experience conflicting emotions, encompassing both disappointment as well as...

Senior Andi Elisaldez (left) and AVID coordinator Jennifer Papageorge show off the AVID Senior Standout Award certificate.

AVID Senior Standout reflects on her recognition

Irene Sheen, Managing Editor • February 8, 2022

Time is of the essence, and for senior Andi Elisaldez, this was all the more true.  During her college admissions process, Elisaldez had one more concern aside from academics and extracurriculars.  “The...

Dead branches stick and poke at Xmas fun

Irene Sheen, Managing Editor • December 9, 2021

Nothing represents the winter holiday season more than watching the blue garbage truck haul away the decaying, “memory-filled” Christmas tree. Nearly 15 million of these plants annually wind up...

Head to Head: Real Deal or Fake Stake?

Head to Head: Real Deal or Fake Stake?

Irene Sheen and Kate Yang • December 9, 2021

Among the sea of black and yellow, thousands of Sunny Hills students cheer for the football team that was playing against Troy High School during the Oct. 15 homecoming game. Orange County Register reporter, Manny Alvarez, recognized the Sunny Hills Lancer Nation as the OCVarsity Student Section Champion, Oct. 18.

Orange County Register awards Sunny Hills fans with its ‘OCVarsity Student Section’ recognition for Oct. 15 football game

Irene Sheen, Managing Editor • October 25, 2021

When the Oct. 15 rivalry football game against Troy High School ended, the 22-20 win kept the Lancers in second place in the Freeway League. It also awarded the Sunny Hills student body with a first-time...

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’

Irene Sheen, Managing Editor • October 14, 2021

For so long, I convinced myself that I wasn’t much of a people person. During this digital era, as long as I have my handy laptop, I assumed that I would be perfectly fine with learning in an environment...

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

Irene Sheen, Managing Editor • October 6, 2021

New Sunny Hills theater teacher Christian Penuelas still recalls his first time watching La Habra High School Theater Guild’s re-enactment of “Beauty and the Beast.” The admirable size, grandeur...

A roller coaster train swerves through Goliath’s track at the world’s fastest wooden coaster speed of 72 mph as it nears the record-breaking 180 foot drop. This was one of the many rides in which several park goers remained unmasked, which sparked concerns from those who preferred to strictly adhere to the Center of Disease Control’s COVID-19 regulations.

Buckle up for a glimpse into my daring visit to Magic Mountain

Irene Sheen, Managing Editor • September 8, 2021

Last June, after the end of the distance-learning school year, my mom informed me that my three cousins had purchased Six Flags Magic Mountain tickets reserved for June 19, in hopes that my sister and...

Chemistry teacher Walter Haberaecker introduces his class curriculum for families attending a 2019 Back to School Night. This year's event has a hybrid option.

SH staff and families set off the new school year with a hybrid Back to School Night alternative option

Irene Sheen, Managing Editor • August 30, 2021

After going all virtual for Back to School Night last year because of the coronavirus pandemic, this year’s Aug. 31 event will be in person but with a hybrid option provided by some teachers. “It’s...

Upon reaching out to teachers, students who would like to add to their Chromebooks for school use Chrome extensions that are blocked by the district’s web filters need to know that the process to unblock them isn’t that difficult. It just takes making that request with a teacher first.

Speak up students, the school’s all ears

Irene Sheen, Managing Editor • May 24, 2021

As a freshman learning how to navigate my school year via distance learning from home, I often felt frustrated with the district’s constraining content filters that block online resources such as educational...

Freshman Hannah Jung performs a split leap with deep arch during her hoop routine on April 17 at her 2021 USA Gymnastics Junior Level 9 Classic and Regional Team Championships in Grand Rapids, Mich.

IN RHYTHM: Freshman aspires to move up levels in different style of gymnastics

Irene Sheen, Managing Editor • May 20, 2021

One minute and 30 seconds. She has but one chance to gracefully execute the routine perfected throughout the months of long and grueling practices. At just 11 years old, freshman rhythmic gymnast Hannah...

The Accolade speaks to various experts including Sunny Hills teachers and even some local forecasters — yes, psychics — to find out what the new year has in store for Americans and the rest of the world.

What’s in the cards for 2021?

Alex Lee, Ashley Han, and Irene Sheen • December 30, 2020

During the last presidential debate, Democratic nominee and former vice president Joe Biden described 2021 as the start of a “dark winter” because of the spread of COVID-19. Will 2021 start out...

Sisters junior Michelle (left) and freshman Irene Sheen haggle over a Choco Pie snack, one of many tiffs they've had since the March lockdown.

My distant relationship with my sister — a result of the COVID-19 quarantine

Irene Sheen, Managing Editor • December 11, 2020

“Where are you going?” “To my room, obviously. Where else would I be going?” my sister retorted. “Are you not going to clean up? So you’re just going to leave the dishes like that?”...

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