The Accolade

Nov. 2 reopening of school: Two thermal cameras at $15,000 each among equipment to ensure COVID-19 health and safety for students, staff

Currently being housed in Room 20, the two thermal cameras will be moved under the overhang at the entrance to the main hallway to Sunny Hills Nov. 2, when students and staff will be allowed to return to campus for live classroom instruction as part of the hybrid learning model. The Fullerton Joint Union High School District paid $15,000 for each camera, which will be used to help school officials to easily check the temperatures of students as they arrive on campus.

October 20, 2020

This is the first of a series of stories dealing with the scheduled Nov. 2 reopening of Sunny Hills High School and what COVID-19-related safety and health measures the Fullerton Joint Union High School District [FJUHSD] has approved for teachers and students when the hybrid learning model replaces the c...

Sophomore forms nationwide community outreach program to deliver soothing music video performances for the elderly during COVID-19 pandemic

With her iPhone placed on the far right end of her piano set for video recording, sophomore Lauren Pak starts her practice session Aug. 19 from her Fullerton home, playing a composition titled, “Promise of the World,” from the Japanese anime, “Howl’s Moving Castle.” Pak will eventually record the final version as a trio with two other student volunteers as part of the Harmony4Homes community service project that she started in the summer to send video music performances to the elderly in local and national nursing homes.

Minjeong Kim

September 2, 2020

Sophomore Lauren Pak still remembers the day she was inspired by her community service idea of delivering video recordings of teenagers playing soothing music to the elderly at local and national nursing homes. Pak’s first year at Sunny Hills was ending in May, and she knew she would find herself with...

COVID-19 forces school officials to change the Aug. 25 Back to School Night into Zoom experience for parents

Traditionally held on campus, Back to School Night for students' parents will be held through Zoom meetings with teachers Tuesday, Aug. 25, at 5:45 p.m. for zero period and 6 p.m. for first period. Sunny Hills officials had to resort to an all-virtual program in keeping with COVID-19 health guidelines, and so like the current situation with students, they will be unable to see some of the newly designed aspects of the school such as the front doors in the main office wing.

Rida Zar

August 24, 2020

For the first time, Sunny Hills will hold a virtual Back-to-School-Night Tuesday, Aug. 25, for students’ parents in keeping with COVID-19 social distancing and health guidelines, school officials said. “We take pride in the positive and energetic school culture we have here at Sunny Hills High School,” ...

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, our virtual graduation will be the best it can possibly be,” principal Allen Whitten said. A lin...

Despite canceled spring concert because of the COVID-19 pandemic, dance teacher gives the show’s theme, ‘Beyond,’ new meaning by posting video segments on Instagram, YouTube

Members of Dance Production check out photos taken for the spring dance concert program during a Feb. 20 rehearsal in Room 130, the dance room. Though the April 9-11 event was canceled because of COVID-19-related school closure, dance instructor Leiana Volen has posted seven videos on the Dance Department's Instagram and YouTube channels of various video footage of her students rehearsing their routines to showcase their hard work in preparation for the performance. Image posted with permission from Leiana Volen.

Emmaline De Leon

May 5, 2020

When dance teacher Leiana Volen first came up with the “Beyond” theme for the April 9-11 spring dance concert at the Performing Arts Center [PAC], she never thought she would have to take it that literally. Because concerns over the spread of COVID-19 forced the Fullerton Joint Union High Scho...

As it celebrates 50 years, April 22 Earth Day still has value in the midst of coronavirus pandemic

Art illustrated by Accolade assistant graphics editor Karen Lee

Audrey Seo

April 22, 2020

Since its first celebration in 1970, Earth Day has become a cherished event for environmental activists and tree-huggers alike. But with its 50th anniversary today on April 22, those stuck at home because of COVID-19-related government orders should still honor the occasion by trying out the many online a...

Teens advised to adhere to self-quarantine measures during coronavirus pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic has prompted several regulations from U.S. health or government officials with the most recent one coming from the Orange County Board of Supervisors. Beginning Friday, April 24, those working in grocery and drug stores, gas stations and other retail shops will be required to wear a mask or face covering when interacting with the public. More residents are beginning to also make their own face masks like the ones pictured above to wear when they go out in public. Image taken by Accolade staff writer Hannah Kim.

Anthony Keem

April 22, 2020

College students dance the night away on the lush beaches of Miami during spring break, forcing local government officials to limit crowds to 250 people and set an 11 p.m. curfew back on March 15. Strobe lights and loud music penetrate the silence of the night as more than 150 people go in and o...

March 20: How the cancellation of Pilipino Culture Night because of COVID-19 pandemic hurts like the loss of a family member

Because the Fullerton Joint Union High School District has extended school closure to May 1 in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Bayanihan Club leaders have decided to cancel April's Pilipino Culture Night in the Performing Arts Center. Sunny Hills students will not be able to see club members perform on stage like they did April 20, 2019, in the PAC. Image used with permission from the Bayanihan Club

Gianne Veluz

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 would like to submit some of your experiences, please email us at [email protected] This mornin...