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The Accolade
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
Senior Elijah Ramirez demonstrates CPR chest compressions on a pillow on Sept. 30 in his dining room as a replacement for a dummy or a stuffed animal. Ramirez had to video record himself practicing hands-on CPR and submit a video for review/approval by assistant principal Hilda Arredondo to fulfill a state-mandated graduation requirement.
State-mandated CPR certification for graduation assigned during summer school health; 93 seniors still need to complete video assignment
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?
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
A roller coaster train swerves through Goliath’s track at the world’s fastest wooden coaster speed of 72 mph as it nears the record-breaking 180 foot drop. This was one of the many rides in which several park goers remained unmasked, which sparked concerns from those who preferred to strictly adhere to the Center of Disease Control’s COVID-19 regulations.
Buckle up for a glimpse into my daring visit to Magic Mountain
As school returns to an in-person setting, a debate wages on among teachers and students about the merits of technology in education and reverting back to paper.
Head to Head: Paper or Digital?
“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
BTS English releases, Permission to Dance, Butter and Dynamite, all received a lot of spotlight as the group becomes a global sensation.
BTS’ new music becomes ‘too Westernized’ as recent singles are all in English
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
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
This is the (Lancer) Way: Club Rush
This is the (Lancer) Way: Club Rush
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
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

Michelle Sheen • October 7, 2021

After a full year of online learning and hybrid learning for some, the 2021 Advanced Placement [AP] tests that students took yielded scores lower or similar to national and Sunny Hills averages from 2020...

Upon entering the iSierra Online Academy website, viewers can see buttons with titles and slideshow of photos. The website provides information about the courses, programs, staff, enrollment and more.

So far, many in Cohort C plan to return to campus in the fall instead of choosing to learn from home through iSierra Online Academy

Katie Lee • May 17, 2021

Many Sunny Hills students who have opted against returning for live instruction this school year during the COVID-19 pandemic plan to come back in the fall for five days a week instead of continuing with...

Sophomore Sydney Lee dyes her hair at home Feb. 23 using professional-grade Sally Beauty Supply products during the pandemic.

Students add color to dull quarantine lifestyles

Charis Lee • April 1, 2021

Before the March 2020 lockdown, senior Estefani Espinoza would get her naturally brown hair dyed at a local beauty salon for $120. But once the state mandated that all such shops remain closed to slow...

Aeries, the FJUHSD’s grading system, is shown to have a “Change Your Aeries Password” page that pops up for students and teachers to mandatorily change every couple of months.

Students required to start changing their Aeries passwords more frequently

Dominique Chang • February 18, 2021

And the countdown begins. “Your password is set to expire in 3 days. Change it now.” “Your password is set to expire in 2 days. Change it now.” “Your password is set to expire in 1 day....

Students have found themselves checking their emails more often in order to stay more connected to school.

Does Gen Z use email? Students stuck at home for remote learning have inundated their teachers’ inboxes with questions, but many still prefer to text their friends

Sydnee Tallant • February 8, 2021

Electronic mail, aka email. Even though this form of communication was invented in the 1970s, it didn’t gain traction until a decade or two later when the Internet became more accessible to the public. In...

Students, don’t go through the loophole of blaming teachers -- it won’t do anything for your distance learning frustrations

Students, don’t go through the loophole of blaming teachers — it won’t do anything for your distance learning frustrations

Charis Lee • December 7, 2020

Dear Mr. Whitten, I wish to inform you that in the more than three years I’ve been a student at Sunny Hills High School, this has been the hardest for me, academically, emotionally and mentally. You...

No on Prop. 18: 17-year-olds lack essential voting experience

Grace Johnson • October 31, 2020

2020 — the year with perhaps the most important presidential election ever. But that will not be the only important measure on the ballot — California Proposition 18 [Prop 18] awaits voters. Prop...

An artist’s portrayal of how the coronavirus might become a danger for those who celebrate typical Halloween traditions, such as trick-or-treating.

Healthy Halloween: COVID-19 pandemic prompts students to scare up new plans to celebrate Oct. 31

Michelle Sheen • October 29, 2020

BOO! Ahhhh! A hair-raising shriek echoes from inside of the blood-stained building covered in cobwebs. A group of friends dash out of the haunted maze, running from the zombies chasing after them while...

Sophomore Gabriel Villanueva sports a favorite outfit consisting of a button-up shirt, black skinny jeans, a pair of Doc Martens and accessories like rings and a chain belt. Though he hasn’t had the chance to wear this outfit to school because of the coronavirus pandemic, he has worn similar ones to Sunny Hills pre-COVID-19.

Students upgrading their wardrobes despite distance learning Zoom sessions instead of live classroom instruction

Michelle Sheen • October 27, 2020

Since mid-March when the COVID-19 shutdown started and live classroom instruction shifted to online learning, the only times sophomore Gabriel Villanueva has ever left his Fullerton home are when he went...

Fullerton’s Love of Orange County Kids, also known as FLOCK, has been raising money and accepting donations of school supplies, clothing and prom attire to support homeless students in the community. Art by Erin Lee.

Group ‘flocks’ to aid homeless students in Fullerton Joint Union High School District

Hanna Oltman • February 4, 2020

A man wearing tattered clothes while pushing around a shopping cart. A woman sleeping under a bridge with nothing but a stray dog to keep her warm. A man holding a sign on the side of the highway...

Art by assistant graphics editor Karen Lee.

New College and Career Center will benefit students

Charis Lee • September 12, 2019

As students chase academic success and race for straight A’s, college is a worrisome concern for most high schoolers, especially as senior year looms closer each year.  Fortunately, the College and...

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