The Accolade

SENIOR FAREWELL COLUMN: I’m proud to be a ‘Class of 2020’ graduate

Michelle Buckley • May 26, 2020

A high school graduation is an event that every student looks forward to. Turning that tassel from right to left signifies the end of a profound era and the beginning of a new one. When I entered...

20 Questions for Top of the 2020 Class: Samuel Kho stays organized while graduating at the top of his class

Senior Samuel Kho is one of the 12 valedictorians in the Class of 2020. Image posted with permission from Samuel Kho.

Aaliyah Magana • May 26, 2020

In lieu of our senior print issue, The Accolade has decided to conduct a Q and A with each of the 12 valedictorians for online posting. Question #1: What are your plans after high school? Answer:...

20 Questions for Top of the 2020 Class: Jenny Lee’s encouragement from her mother helped her rise to the top of her class

Senior Jenny Lee smiles for a picture in her neighborhood after filming a video for Sunny Hills High School's virtual graduation. Image posted with permission from Jenny Lee.

Aaliyah Magana • May 26, 2020

In lieu of our senior print issue, The Accolade has decided to conduct a Q and A with each of the 12 valedictorians for online posting. Question #1: What are your plans after high school? (which school,...

20 Questions for Top of the 2020 Class: Peter Park graduates as a valedictorian and gives thanks to all of his high school teachers

Senior Peter Park performs a layup during a practice on November 14. Park is one of the 12 valedictorians in the Class of 2020. Photo taken by Accolade photographer Paul Yasutake

Aaliyah Magana • May 26, 2020

In lieu of our senior print issue, The Accolade has decided to conduct a Q and A with each of the 12 valedictorians for online posting. Question #1: What are your plans after high school? Answer:...

20 Questions for Top of the 2020 Class: Andrew Tran graduates as a valedictorian and reminisces about the summer days spent with friends

Senior Andrew Tran poses for his senior portrait in early August 2019. Reprinted with permission from Andrew Tran.

Aaliyah Magana • May 25, 2020

In lieu of our senior print issue, The Accolade has decided to conduct a Q and A with each of the 12 valedictorians for online posting. Question #1: What are your plans after high school? Answer:...

With live-graduation ceremony postponed until August, Class of 2020 will have YouTube virtual one instead May 28

All wearing face masks as part of state COVID-19-related guidelines, social science teacher and co-ASB adviser David Fenstermaker (left), dance instructor Leiana Volen and yearbook adviser Lindsay Safe greet seniors as their cars come by the Sunny Hills parking lot as part of the May 8 drive-through event to pick up cap and gowns and Class of 2020 graduation yard signs. Fenstermaker handed out the yard signs. Video screen shot taken by Accolade photo editor Megan Shin.

Rida Zar • May 24, 2020

In hopes of providing the Class of 2020 with a proper send off, school officials will host a virtual graduation ceremony for seniors and their family on YouTube May 28. “As with everything we do,...

20 Questions for Top of the 2020: Hasan Mirza heads for pre-med track at UCLA

Megan Shin • May 22, 2020

In lieu of our senior print issue, The Accolade has decided to conduct a Q and A with each of the 12 valedictorians for online posting. Question #1: What are your plans after high school? Answer:...

20 Questions for Top of the 2020 Class: Audrey Gass graduates high school with a full International Baccalaureate Diploma and straight A’s

Senior Audrey Gass graduates as one of the 12 valedictorians for the class of 2020 at her house on May 20. Photo reprinted with permission from Audrey Gass

Lira Jeong • May 21, 2020

In lieu of our senior print issue, The Accolade has decided to conduct a Q and A with each of the 12 valedictorians for online posting. Question #1: What are your plans after high school? Answer:...

20 Questions for Top of the 2020 Class: Sunghee Lee will continue her academic studies as a Bruin at UCLA

Senior Sunghee Lee celebrates her high school graduation as one of the 12 valedictorians at the Buena Park High School stadium on May 14. Image posted with permission from Sunghee Lee.

Hannah Jeong • May 21, 2020

In lieu of our senior print issue, The Accolade has decided to conduct a Q and A with each of the 12 valedictorians for online posting. Question #1: What are your plans after high school? Answer:...

Final traditional senior event at Disneyland nixed because of coronavirus concerns; PTSA to issue Grad Nite ticket refunds

Disneyland in Anaheim, known for its iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle, has announced the cancellation of this year’s Grad Nite in May. This was the last traditional senior activity that has been axed because of the coronavirus pandemic, which has led to state-issued stay-at-home and social distancing orders. Accolade File Photo

Edmund Lee • May 4, 2020

It was the final nail in the coffin for Sunny Hills’ Class of 2020. The PTSA’s Grad Nite committee held out as long as it could in hopes that seniors would at least have one traditional event they...

Principal holds Zoom session April 24 to announce to 12 seniors they are Class of 2020’s valedictorians

Through an April 24 Zoom meeting that included the five campus counselors, principal Allen Whitten (third from left, top row) announces his plans for the May 28 virtual graduation ceremony and how the 12 Class of 2020 valedictorians will be honored. In the past, Whitten usually summoned seniors to his office to confirm their top of the class status, but because of COVID-19-related stay-at-home orders, he opted to make the announcement online. Photo by Accolade photo editor Megan Shin.

Megan Shin • April 30, 2020

Since he’s been principal at Sunny Hills, Allen Whitten would summon seniors to his office to confirm their valedictorian status and congratulate them on their accomplishment. But that couldn’t...

Students, parents react with tears, concerns over school closure for rest of spring semester — likely through the summer

Printed signs like this are taped outside Sunny Hills High School's main office doors between Rooms 3 and 7 as a reminder to the community that the campus will remain closed through the summer unless California Gov. Gavin Newsom lifts his stay-at-home orders in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Photo taken by Accolade adviser Tommy Li

Aaliyah Magana • April 17, 2020

Senior Sarah Bankhead couldn’t stop refreshing the inbox of her school email on her iPhone 7+ after reading the latest announcement from Fullerton Joint Union High School District superintendent Scott...

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