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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
New Drawing and Painting teacher Vashtty Lemus guides her students through an assignment during an Aug. 26 class.

Once a promising pediatrician, art teacher draws on her artistic talents to help students

Minjeong Kim • September 1, 2021

When she entered California State University, Fullerton, in 2014, Vashtty Lemus dedicated herself to becoming a pediatrician because she loved science and wanted to help a lot of people. The lifelong...

Junior Sharon Choi’s award-winning painting in the international 2021 Science Without Borders Challenge depicts the mangroves as a safety shelter for the small fish from the predators.

Junior wins $500 from art contest

Alice Lee • May 28, 2021

After competing in the international 2021 Science Without Borders Challenge, junior Sharon Choi placed first in the category for 15-19-year-old students, winning $500 for her ocean conservation painting...

Teresa Hallbauer (left) appears in a Sept. 30, 1983, article about new teacher hires in The Accolade. The math instructor now goes by the name, Teri Klein, who appears in a 2020 yearbook photo. Klein retired after nearly 37 years in education, most of those spent at Sunny Hills High School.

Math teacher retires after more than three decades in the profession

Hannah Kim • May 19, 2021

She’s the last to retire of the Sunny Hills teachers who were hired with her in September 1983 – icons like science teacher Jeff Nelson, who coordinated the International Baccalaureate program before...

Then-freshman Roy Datuin smiles with black and gold balloons at the 2019 Lancer Awards in Fullerton Union High School’s auditorium. Datuin won a Lancer Award in the math department.

School officials organize ‘Night in Hollywood’-themed Lancer Awards to be held May 19 for the first time after school in the quad

Sydney Lee • May 17, 2021

Traditionally held in the Fullerton Auditorium, Lancer Awards night will occur May 19 on campus after school, administrators said. “I am excited to be able to acknowledge our amazing students in person,”...

Art teacher and International Baccalaureate coordinator Brian Wall holds up the 2020 Yale Educator Award after receiving it in the mail last September.

And the winner goes to … : Art teacher and IB coordinator reflects on Yale Educator Award

Divya Bharadwaj • February 18, 2021

It was a month into the 2020-2021 school year -- one that started with Sunny Hills students learning from home again like March when the COVID-19 pandemic first broke out. Art teacher and International...

Then-junior Ella Eseigbe (center) cuts paper during a classroom simulation of a tent-making company in her IB Economics Higher Level 1 class last November. The class’ corresponding exam is just one of the many assessments that IB is modifying for the 2020-21 school year.

After canceling exams last year, IB eases requirements for full diploma candidates

Tyler Pak • October 3, 2020

To mitigate the educational challenges brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, the International Baccalaureate [IB] program has modified its curriculum and exams, which many SH students believe will...

Pre-Calculus Honors teacher Amanda Morris uses an online game Sept. 11 in her Period 3 class that pairs classmates randomly to reinforce concepts learned in class. Several teachers like Morris are finding new ways to make their virtual classes more engaging for students since the second round of distance learning started for the 2020-2021 school year.

Remote learning 2.0: Online games, polls, new tech tools used to provide a more enhanced version of instruction for students

Divya Bharadwaj • September 19, 2020

After a month of distance learning using the Zoom virtual meeting platform, Pre-Calculus Honors teacher Amanda Morris decided it was time to change things up. “I chose this game because it gives you...

One of the virtual backgrounds used during the May 18 laureate ceremony and held on Zoom honoring the Conservatory of Fine Arts Class of 2020. Image posted with permission from Brian Wall.

The show must go on — virtually for 10-year anniversary of Conservatory of Fine Arts laureate ceremony for Class of 2020

Nevya Patel • May 18, 2020

To celebrate the Conservatory of Fine Arts’ [COFA] 10th year in existence at the Monday, May 18, laureate ceremony honoring the Class of 2020, director Brian Wall had planned for a painted mural on the...

School officials have cleared one section of the ivy outside art teacher Brian Wall’s classroom and have placed a picnic table for students to use during and outside of class time. The $1,500 project, a brainchild of PTSA president Ivonne Wang and principal Allen Whitten, calls for the clearing of the ivy and trees outside Room 137 and up to two picnic tables for students to use. Photo taken by Accolade adviser Tommy Li.

School officials plan to upgrade landscaping outside Room 137 with at least two picnic tables for student use

Rachel Yun • May 3, 2020

When students are allowed to return to the Sunny Hills campus again, they could see some new changes outside art teacher Brian Wall’s classroom. The bushes and trees in front of Room 137 have been...

Junior Grace Park holds up her two award-winning paintings -- Rotten (left) earned her a first-place $100 check and Hide netted an honorable mention $10 check, both of which she has since cashed -- that she entered in the 34th annual Fullerton Joint Union High School District Education Art Show. Although the art show was scheduled to begin March 30, it was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. District art show organizers were able to send winners their awards as the event was judged before the exhibit took place. Image used with permission from Grace Park.

Annual District Art Show canceled because of COVID-19 outbreak; winners receive certificates, checks by mail

Hannah Yi, Tyler Pak, and Aaliyah Magana • April 30, 2020

The 34th annual Fullerton Joint Union High School District [FJUHSD] Education Art Show at the district’s Education Center was originally scheduled to begin March 30 -- the first return date that the...

Fall festival planning committee members put together this Peanuts-themed poster promoting the Oct. 24 after school event featuring various programs from the Conservatory of Fine Arts. The 3-4:30 p.m. event will be held in the quad.

Conservatory of Fine Arts to hold fall festival featuring Peanuts pumpkin patch theme

Gianne Veluz • October 24, 2019

Celebrating its 10-year anniversary, the Conservatory of Fine Arts [COFA] plans to host its annual Fall Festival after school Oct. 24 with a theme based on the Peanuts cartoon episode titled, “It’s...

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