New Headlines
The Student News Site of Sunny Hills High School

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
Quarterback senior Max Spero runs to avoid getting tackled during the third quarter of the Oct. 15 game against the Troy Warriors at Buena Park High School Stadium. The Lancers, who were playing in their homecoming game, came away with a 22-20 win that had all the makings of a rivalry affair, especially in a wild two minutes.
Sunny Hills football triumphs in the ‘Battle of the Nations,’ 22-20
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
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
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 • 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...

This is the front cover of the Google slide awards presentation that announced The Accolades 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 Irvines 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 • 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...

A group of Accolade editors and journalism adviser Tommy Li (right) celebrate Tuesday, March 9, after school outside the 130s wing their recent accomplishments, winning Best of Show plaques for newspaper and online from the Saturday, Feb. 20, Orange County Journalism Education Association writeoffs contest as well as earning the programs second Silver Crown plaque last spring from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association. Because of coronavirus-related campus restrictions, Li and his editors wore masks and remained six feet apart.

The Accolade’s online website wins Best of Show for first time in Orange County writeoffs contest; newspaper also earns Best of Show plaque for fifth straight year

Nevya Patel • March 11, 2021

For the first time since The Accolade revived its news website in the 2018-2019 school year, the program swept the Orange County Journalism Education Association [OCJEA] Best of Show categories for Newspaper...

The Fullerton Joint Union High School District board of trustees met on April 24 via Zoom call and voted to adopt a resolution to temporarily modify the traditional grading system. Image taken by Accolade news editor Tyler Pak

Fullerton Joint Union High School District trustees approve new grading policy; teachers will follow A-C or no credit for less than 55 percent for students’ spring semester marks because of campus closures

Tyler Pak • April 24, 2020

While trustees statewide are weighing their options for spring semester grading policy in response to school closures because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it took only 25 minutes for the Fullerton Joint Union...

Image created by Accolade co-sports editor Andrew Ngo. Individual images of football players with their rings used with permission from Peter Karavedas.

Head football coach, staff, parent booster personally deliver about 80 rings to players’ homes as alternative to canceled ring celebration because of COVID-19 school closure

Andrew Ngo • April 19, 2020

Despite the coronavirus pandemic and the governor's stay-at-home order, two Sunny Hills football coaches and a booster contributor took it upon themselves from April 3-8 to distribute roughly 80 rings...

Tight end and defensive lineman sophomore Ethan Johnson (center) celebrates following the teams championship game victory over Santa Barbara at San Marcos High School Stadium on Nov. 30. After the spring sports cancellation, football may not have its chance to defend the fourth CIF-Southern Section title in school history. Photo taken by Accolade photographer Paul Yasutake

With CIF State officially canceling spring playoffs because of coronavirus-related school closures, what are implications for fall sports?

Andrew Ngo • April 13, 2020

After CIF State postponed a March 17 decision to cancel the spring sports playoffs, the organization’s executive director Ron Nocetti made an April 3 announcement that all spring playoff events would...

Accolade co-sports editor Andrew Ngo went to the hospital with the intent of getting a chest x-ray, but he had no idea what events would unfold regarding the coronavirus threat to schools and spring sports. +RengenDSC_0116 by Ansikov is licensed under CC BY 4.0

March 19: Spring sports suspension, a trip to the hospital and what it’s like to be the subject of an OC Sports Zone story

Andrew Ngo • March 21, 2020

LIVING UNDER THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS This is part of a series of columns from The Accolade staff about their various experiences during the school closure because of the coronavirus pandemic. If you...

Senior Andrew Park (center) pushes the ball past Crean Lutheran defenders during a 3-1 loss to the Saints. The Feb. 20 game was the first ever Sunny Hills boys volleyball game. Now, the inaugural Freeway League boys volleyball season will have to be postponed to next year. Photo taken by Accolade photographer Brianna Zafra

Coronavirus threat-related school closure to May 4 leads to end of regular spring sports season; fate of CIF playoffs to be determined April 3

Andrew Ngo • March 20, 2020

Upon Fullerton Joint Union High School District [FJUHSD] superintendent Scott Scambray’s decision to extend school closure until May 4, athletics officials confirmed Friday that the regular spring sports...

A March 3 email from Nicolas Junior High teacher Leah Yamamoto telling the participants that the trip to South Korea been canceled.

Conoravirus threat cancels exchange program trip to South Korea for two juniors

Andrew Ngo • March 16, 2020

It could have been a trip to remember. Then, the coronavirus outbreak picked up speed in March, prompting the World Health Organization to declare COVID-19 a pandemic. A March 3 email from Nicholas...

Boys tennis singles player freshman Owen Taylor prepares to hit a backhand during a March 3 match against Whitney. Taylor aims to play in the April 21-26 Ojai Tournament, but concern over how to stop the spread of the coronavirus has the events status in jeopardy. Image taken by Accolade photographer Brianna Zafra.

Coaches, athletes await CIF announcement March 17 or 18 on spring sports playoffs — possibly season as a whole — during state coronavirus threat

Andrew Ngo • March 15, 2020

The March 17-18 CIF State annual spring meeting in Sacramento could shed light on the fate of the spring sports season in light of what Southern California schools have decided to do in halting athletics...

Cheer coach Lizzy Mejia (right) helps basketball player and male cheerleader sophomore Jacob Dedeaux perform a backflip as male cheerleaders watch in the background on the Sunny Hills blacktop during a Feb. 27 practice. Dedeaux and 18 other male athletes will show off their skills in the March 13 assembly. Photo taken by Accolade photographer Paul Yasutake

Male athletes join forces with cheer to perform in March 13 assembly

Andrew Ngo • March 9, 2020

The first time the boys entered the cheer room for practice on Feb. 18, head cheer coach Lizzy Mejia laid out a few rules for them. Rule No. 1: No jewelry.  Rule No. 2 (and the most important):...

Junior Jason Thomson (right) passes the ball to a teammate during the Lancers home opener loss to Crean Lutheran Feb. 25 in the Sunny Hills gym. Photo taken by Accolade photographer Brianna Zafra

Opener for Sunny Hills boys volleyball’s inaugural season soured by four-set, home loss to Crean Lutheran

Andrew Ngo • February 26, 2020

Bright lights shine on the hardwood floor. Cheers echo around the gym. Fans stomp on the bleachers.  Suddenly, the ball pops in the air. As every millisecond passes, the ball gets farther and farther...

Load More Stories

The Accolade

The Student News Site of Sunny Hills High School
© 2021 • Advertise • FLEX Pro WordPress Theme by SNO • Log in