The Accolade

Yearbook class changes from sixth to fifth period to accommodate schedule conflicts

Helios editor-in-chief senior Anika Madan (first row, second video window from left) captures a historic moment -- the first virtual yearbook camp sponsored by Herff Jones on July 25, the camp's first day. Traditionally held at California State University, Long Beach, the July 25-29 Yearbooks by the Beach offers publications students sessions ranging from staff bonding to theme brainstorming. A total of 23 of the 33 Helios yearbook staffers attended the event to prepare for the 2020-2021 annual's production, which now will take place during fifth instead of sixth period.

Alice Shin • September 3, 2020

After three years of the award-winning Helios yearbook class being held during period six, it has switched back to fifth period this school year, joining other electives like the Associated Student Body...

Coronavirus crisis forces delay in yearbook printing; students who paid for one will have to wait until after June 6 when the school year has ended to pick it up

Though the 2019-2020 yearbook will not be distributed until June, Helios released an image of what the front cover looks like in a 77-second theme-release video posted April 24 on the publication’s YouTube channel and Instagram account. The “Keep Talking We’re Listening”-themed book faced a delay in printing because the publishing company had to shut down from late March to early May in response to the state’s guidelines for non-essential businesses to close to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Minjeong Kim • May 24, 2020

This story was updated May 24 at 12:30 p.m. to show that yearbook distribution was reportedly delayed for the Class of 1963, four years after the school opened in 1959. This story was updated again...

Yearbook makes history — winning top two national journalism awards, placing second in Best of Show in a single school year

Some of the Helios staffers from last year note the hard work and effort in producing creative Index pages like this one for the 2018-2019 yearbook, which swept both national journalism awards this school year. Image posted with permission from Lindsay Safe.

Emmaline De Leon • May 24, 2020

When Sabrina Lee and Tara Desai became co-editors-in-chief of Helios last school year as seniors, they strived to produce a yearbook they’d be proud of for the rest of their lives -- a goal common to...

Yearbook adviser loses chance — twice — to personally accept awards at national journalism conventions in New York, Nashville because of growing threat of COVID-19

Upon sending out emails to journalism advisers the morning of March 17, the National Scholastic Press Association uploaded this image on its spring convention page further notifying visitors to the website of the event's cancellation. Sunny Hills yearbook adviser Lindsay Safe was among those who had registered to attend the venue. Image posted with permission from Ron Johnson.

Michelle Sheen • April 16, 2020

Upon sending out emails to journalism advisers the morning of March 17, the National Scholastic Press Association [NSPA] uploaded this image on its spring convention page further notifying visitors to...

Yearbook extends 2020-2021 staff application deadline to April 19 because of COVID-19-related school closure

Though the yearbook has used social media to promote its staff application for the next school year in the past, the Sunny Hills Helios adviser has had to rely solely on Instagram posting like this because of COVID-19 pandemic-related school closure since March 16. The deadline to apply has also been extended from March 30 to April 19. Image posted with permission from Anika Madan.

Minjeong Kim • April 8, 2020

Because of the district-imposed school closure nearly a month ago, the yearbook adviser will continue to accept 2020-2021 staff applications, extending the due date to April 19 instead of the original...

Columbia Scholastic Press Association names Accolade, Helios Crown award finalists — only Orange County publications to receive such a national honor

The Columbia Scholastic Press Association recognized Helios's 2018-2019 yearbook Nov. 1, including this Sports section spread.
Image posted with permission from Helios

Hope Li and Krishna Thaker • November 15, 2019

The Accolade newspaper and Helios yearbook have been named a finalist for a national award sponsored by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association [CSPA]. Through a live Twitter feed video on Halloween,...

New Sunny Hills administrator brings extensive experience from La Habra

New assistant principal Melissa Stinson works in her office dealing with tasks given to her at her new position. Photo taken by Paul Yasutake.

Andrew Hong • October 1, 2019

“Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt.” Willliam Shakespeare’s character, Lucio, makes this statement to Isabella, the protagonist of the...

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