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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
The Accolade adviser Tommy Li submitted the Oct. 30 “Photo Finish” (left) and Dec. 14 “Wonder Women 2021” PDF print issues to the Southern California Journalism Awards contest sponsored by the Los Angeles Press Club and was named a finalist for Best High School paper for a fifth year straight.

The Accolade’s online site named finalist for first time in LA Press Club’s SoCal Journalism Awards contest

Susie Kim • August 31, 2021

For the first time, The Accolade’s online platform has been named a finalist for Best High School News Website in the Los Angeles Press Club’s 63rd annual Southern California Journalism Awards. “I...

The Accolades Feb. 19 (left) and March 13 issues received Top 10 recognition in a recent Best of Show contest sponsored by the National Scholastic Press Association during a virtual spring journalism convention in April.

2 Accolade issues earn Top 10 recognition in National Scholastic Press Association’s Best of Show contests

Susie Kim • May 8, 2021

The Accolade placed third at the Spring National High School Journalism Convention's Best of Show contest for Tabloid newspapers, 16 pages or fewer, with the Feb. 19 “Broken Boundaries” issue and eighth...

A group of Accolade editors and journalism adviser Tommy Li (right) celebrate Tuesday, March 9, after school outside the 130s wing their recent accomplishments, winning Best of Show plaques for newspaper and online from the Saturday, Feb. 20, Orange County Journalism Education Association writeoffs contest as well as earning the programs second Silver Crown plaque last spring from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association. Because of coronavirus-related campus restrictions, Li and his editors wore masks and remained six feet apart.

The Accolade’s online website wins Best of Show for first time in Orange County writeoffs contest; newspaper also earns Best of Show plaque for fifth straight year

Nevya Patel • March 11, 2021

For the first time since The Accolade revived its news website in the 2018-2019 school year, the program swept the Orange County Journalism Education Association [OCJEA] Best of Show categories for Newspaper...

For the second time in as many years, the Helios staff earned Crown finalist honors but must wait until March to find out whether or not it will repeat as a Gold Crown winner.

Yearbook named Crown finalist for second straight year

Kate Yang • December 9, 2020

For a second consecutive year, a national journalism organization named the Helios yearbook a Crown finalist -- the only program to receive the award in Orange County, and one of three programs in Southern...

The Accolade: Weve still got issues planned during distance learning; meanwhile, check us out online during this historic COVID-19 period

The Accolade: We’ve still got issues planned during distance learning; meanwhile, check us out online during this historic COVID-19 period

Tyler Pak • August 24, 2020

This past school year, The Accolade has truly lived up to its namesake.  In previous years with our print issues, we’ve traveled down a two-year win streak of taking the Best High School Newspaper...

Exams 6 by charbeck10 is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Many find modified, online AP exam easier to take, though a few plan to take makeup tests in June after experiencing technical issues with submitting their responses

Elijah Jhee • May 29, 2020

The online modified Advancement Placement [AP] exams were much easier for many Sunny Hills students who took them throughout most of this month, but some experienced technical difficulties and have opted...

A screenshot of the March 6 announcement from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association about its decision to cancel its national journalism convention and March 20 awards ceremony at Columbia University in New York. The Accolade and Helios student publications had been named Crown winners last October -- the only Orange County journalism programs to have earned such a distinction -- for work produced in the 2018-2019 school year.

Spread of COVID-19 in New York ends senior publications editors’ ‘dream’ trip to the Big Apple to accept newspaper, yearbook awards

Nevya Patel • May 5, 2020

Senior Michelle Buckley said it would have been “one of the best moments of my senior year.” Another senior, Kaylee Kim, called it a “reward for all of my passion and hard work for the last three...

The 2019-2020 Accolade staff with its sixth-place Best of Show award for its first issue of the year titled, Media Under Fire, will keep its online news website live even though the campus has been closed to students from March 16-20. Image used with permission from Arya Patel.

Staff Editorial: With the campus closed to students until March 30, thank goodness we have a news website to keep us connected and informed

Alex Park • March 15, 2020

A message from The Accolade editorial board: If COVID-19 happened just two years ago, The Accolade would have had to wait until students can return to campus for our staff to publish any articles related...

The Accolades web editor senior Alex Park (left, front row), editor-in-chief senior Michelle Buckley and managing editor senior Hannah Yi hold up Orange County Journalism Education Association Best of Show plaques that have been awarded to the newspaper for the past four years as part of an annual writeoff contest. Image used with permission from Arya Patel.

The Accolade tops Best of Show at OCJEA write-offs

Andrew Park • March 15, 2020

A four-peat. That’s what The Accolade staff celebrated upon finding out it won the Best of Show award during the Feb. 22 Orange County Journalism Education Association write-off contest awards ceremony...

Accolade staff writer junior Hope Li (left) holds the Best of Show certificate from the National Scholastic Press Association while adviser Tommy Li holds up six fingers signifying the placement. The Nov. 23 awards ceremony was held in Washington, D.C., and The Accolades first issue of the school year earned recognition for placing in the Top 10 nationally.

The Accolade wins sixth place in Best of Show at national journalism convention in Washington, D.C.

Hope Li • November 30, 2019

The Accolade school newspaper was one of two Southern California tabloids recognized Nov. 24 for placing in the Top 10 in the Best of Show contest at a national journalism convention in Washington, D.C. Sunny...

Shooting guard and small forward senior Rachel Kim drives into the lane while in a scrimmage against team assistants and other girls basketball players at the Sunny Hills gym Nov. 14. Photo taken by Accolade photographer Paul Yasutake

Girls basketball aims for deeper run into CIF playoffs

Rebecca Choi • November 18, 2019

Coaches: Jae Byun, (head coach), Gene Bordy (assistant coach), Janice Lee (assistant coach), Ronnel Quedit (graduate assistant) Top returning players: Jaidyn Decastro (12), Annika Johnson (12), Jessica...

Why we’re back: An introduction to our resurrected website

August 22, 2018

The Accolade website. It was a whole new platform from which the whole world could access our news. A bit daunting at first, yet our staff took up the task. However, having to come this far took more than...

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