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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
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
With superintendent Scott Scambray’s upcoming retirement, district board members must decide whether to continue the pattern of electing a white male to the position.

Time to hire first woman to lead Fullerton Joint Union High School District

The Accolade Editorial Board • April 29, 2021

This story was updated May 8 to correct an error regarding past superintendents in the Fullerton Joint Union High School District. The Accolade editorial board vote count: 8 consider diversity or gender...

With the Fullerton Joint Union High School District board of trustees latest directive, Sunny Hills students will be allowed to walk through the front entrance for live classroom instruction four days a week starting April 19. Those learning from home can still continue to do so.

FJUHSD students to be allowed to come to campus four days a week beginning April 19; some still prefer to stay home over COVID-19 health and safety concerns

Kate Yang • April 12, 2021

In a split vote, trustees for the Fullerton Joint Union High School District [FJUHSD] have approved allowing students to receive live, in-class instruction four days a week instead of only two beginning...

When hybrid learning resumes for the first time this year on Feb. 16, students will once again be required to enter the Sunny Hills campus through the area between the 20s wing and the administration building so they can have their temperatures scanned. This is what happened when hybrid learning started Nov. 2 as assistant principal John Oldenburg (right) directed one of the students to the next station to get her wristband for the day.

Trustees agree to reopen FJUHSD schools for first time this year on Feb. 16 during a nearly three-hour emergency meeting Tuesday full of verbal jabs from parents, teachers as well as board members

Kate Yang • February 4, 2021

In a contentious three-hour meeting featuring verbal swipes from both sides of the reopening schools issue, trustees for the Fullerton Joint Union High School District [FJUHSD] reached unanimous agreement...

The Sunny Hills campus will remain closed for live classroom instruction until at least Feb. 9 after the Fullerton Joint Union High School District board of trustees agreed during a Jan. 26 emergency meeting to defer the return of hybrid learning, citing COVID-19-related health and safety concerns.

Siding with overwhelming number of teachers’ public comments, FJUHSD trustees agree to keep campuses closed through Feb. 8

Andrew Ngo • January 27, 2021

Despite California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s decision this week to drop the statewide stay-at-home order, the Fullerton Joint Union High School District [FJUHSD] board agreed Tuesday to continue distance learning...

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...

Class of 2020s Johnathyn Yip and Elena Singh, wear their Sunny Hills cap and gowns at a senior graduation photoshoot at the Brea Dam on June 28. The Class of 2020 not only lost its senior traditions like prom, Grad Nite and paper toss, but last school years seniors also never had a chance to walk down the aisle to pick up their diplomas during a commencement ceremony usually held at Fullerton Union High Schools football stadium. An Aug. 5 makeup graduation at Buena Park High Schools football stadium was canceled July 28 because of the continued increase in COVID-19 cases in Orange County.

Summer spike in COVID-19 cases in Orange County leads to cancellation of in-person graduation ceremony at Buena Park’s football stadium

Sydnee Tallant • August 27, 2020

Elise Ibara (Class of 2020) was looking forward to seeing as many of her former senior classmates again earlier this month. With traditional senior events like prom in April and Grad Nite and the commencement...

When the 2020-2021 school year starts Aug. 11 at Sunny Hills, students will not be able to greet each other in person like in past first days of school. Sunny Hills, along with all public and private high schools, will for the first time in state history be closed as distance learning 2.0 begins. California Gov. Gavin Newsom earlier this summer had mandated that schools in counties with high COVID-19 cases remain closed.

COVID-19 slashes another educational tradition: the first day of school

Aaliyah Magana • August 10, 2020

This was not how rising senior Jason Thomson imagined his first day of the 2020-2021 school year would go when it starts Aug. 11. “I mean, I imagine coming to school and seeing all my friends like...

Sunny Hills High School’s quad and classroom buildings will remain empty Aug. 11 when school starts as part of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s mandate that campuses in counties on the state’s coronavirus watch list stay closed for safety reasons. The July 17 decision comes nearly a week before a July 23 special meeting of the Fullerton Joint Union High School District trustees to discuss reopening plans for Sunny Hills and the other seven schools in the district.

Gov. Newsom issues mandate for campuses in 33 counties — including Sunny Hills — to start 2020-2021 school year with distance learning because of high number of positive COVID-19 cases

Alice Shin • July 19, 2020

Nearly a week before the Fullerton Joint Union High School District [FJUHSD] trustees were scheduled to hold a special meeting to vote on a plan to reopen schools, including Sunny Hills, California Gov....

Wearing their performance outfits, some members of the Korean Culture Club practice with their buk drums March 2 after school on campus for Korean Culture Night. The March 21 event, which would have commemorated its 10th year, was canceled a week before because of the spread of the novel coronavirus. The thunderous sounds created by these instruments represent the South Korean nation, and the drummers performance would have been the first one after intermission. Image posted with permission from Esther Lee.

Korean Culture Night would have commemorated its 10th year anniversary had it not gotten axed because of COVID-19-related school closure

Lauren Jung • May 25, 2020

It was supposed to be an event to commemorate the 10th year of performances to show what the Korean culture -- past and present -- is all about. Korean 1 and 2 teacher and Korean Culture Club [KCC]...

Printed signs like this are taped outside Sunny Hills High Schools 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

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

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...

The Helios staff meets with adviser Lindsay Safe (top left corner) March 19 via the Zoom online app to discuss what they need to do to finish the 2019-2020 yearbook since school will remain closed until May 4. Zoom is among some of the distance learning tools that Sunny Hills teachers are using to conduct classes online. Image used with permission from Anika Madan.

Sunny Hills to remain closed through May 1; classroom return date scheduled for May 4

Tyler Pak • March 19, 2020

In an effort to slow the coronavirus pandemic, Sunny Hills will remain closed through May 1; until then, students will continue their education through distance learning, Fullerton Joint Union High School...

This Aeries communication email was sent to parents and students at 7:40 p.m. March 15, followed by another one sent at 8:50 p.m. containing a much shorter message and informing readers to go to the Fullerton Joint Union High School District website to access the superintendents letter in a PDF file. Students remain uncertain, though, as to how their teachers will take Aeries attendance when distance learning begins Wednesday, March 18.

District sends eleventh-hour notice changing online learning start date from Monday, March 16, to Wednesday, March 18

Tyler Pak • March 16, 2020

After a Friday, March 13, email from Fullerton Joint Union High School District [FJUHSD] superintendent Scott Scambray that Sunny Hills will be closed to students and that they would have to be educated...

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