• Cambria Graff Named Teacher of the Year at SJHHS: one of the most recognized performing arts teachers in all of Orange County
  • Pajama Drive Happening Now: Donate a pair of new pajamas, infant through adult, between now and December 13. Drop off in the front office or ASB.
  • Trading Post Has New Merch, Visit During Lunch
  • Senior Portrait Deadline Dec. 9: Schedule Through South Coast Photographic
The story of San Juan as told by its students

The Express
The story of San Juan as told by its students

The Express
The story of San Juan as told by its students

The Express
Claire Stafford

Claire Stafford, Feature Editor

Claire Stafford is a senior at San Juan Hills High School and is excited for her third year on The Express. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her friends, going to the beach, reading, and traveling. She is looking forward to deepening her knowledge of journalism as the Feature Editor of The Express this year! After high school, Claire plans to attend a four-year university and a carrer in law.

All content by Claire Stafford
First gen students, ----- Mia Garcia (12), and Alezza Pineda (12) discus their ideas for a video they are creating with the help of ----. The First Gen students were asked to make short videos about their plans for the future to celebrate national First Gen day, which took place on November 8.

[Photo] San Juan Hills Celebrates National First Generation Day

Zaleeya Dhalla, Staff Writer
December 10, 2024
Tik Tok's stimulating and short content makes it the perfect low effort way to unwind. However, it's addictive nature and calculated algorithm, makes it a underestimated danger.

[Photo] Scrolling Towards a Growing Tiktok Addiction

Caden Mai, Staff Writer
November 17, 2024
During the halftime of varsity football’s first round of CIF game, the marching band gave a great performance. All season long, these Stallions have brought out school spirit and shown the crowd how to RFTB.

Stallion Roundup 11/1 – 11/15

Gabriella Bello and Claire Stafford
November 17, 2024
Posing with big smiles, liberal Elliot Ruvalcalba (12), moderate Ben Dart (12), and conservative Jason Studdert (12) positively coexist despite their differing political ideologies. Each of these students are among the few seniors who can vote in the upcoming election.

Q&A with One Liberal, Moderate, Conservative

Claire Stafford, Feature Editor
November 3, 2024
In honor of Ride for Your Future, counselor Kathleen Levinson, college and career counselor Mayra Luna, school counselor Lisa Cassarino, and social science teacher Josh Hunnicutt come together to help apply to college.

Stallion Roundup 10/7 – 10/18

Gabriella Bello and Claire Stafford
October 20, 2024
English and AVID teacher Janey Gidion has been teaching at SJHHS for 15 years. She is well-known for her outgoing personality and encouraging speeches, but what many students don't know is she underwent an organ transplant for her older sister Julie.

[Photo] Janey Gidion Celebrates 20th “Kidneyversary”

Domenica Peloso, Opinion Editor
October 18, 2024
Students preregister to vote in their American History. Members of AVID, the PTSA, and ASB came into Junior and Senior history classes to show students how to register to vote.

[Photo] Low Teen Voter Pre-Registration Causes California Schools to Intervene

Alex McNutt, Staff Writer
November 6, 2024

Q&A with Area 2 Trustee Candidates

Domenica Peloso and Claire Stafford
October 11, 2024
Starring as Mr. Incredible in the Homecoming pep rally, Advanced Team dancer Haven Warther (11) shows off her talent.

An ‘Incredible’ Homecoming Slideshow

Domenica Peloso and Claire Stafford
September 28, 2024
An enormous pyrocumulus cloud formed over the Airport Fire while students in P.E. endured scorching heat on the practice field on Sept. 9. Pyrocumulus clouds occur when hot air from a fire causes moisture in the air to condense, forming a cloud. Sometimes these clouds can create their own weather conditions including lighting.

Airport Fire Rages Through Orange, Riverside County

Claire Stafford, Feature Editor
September 24, 2024
Bodie, the school service dog, takes a well deserved rest in the office. He is a new and friendly addition to the SJHHS campus and is available to help any student in need.

[Photo] Bodie: A Student’s Furry Friend

Sophia Roldan, Staff Writer
September 23, 2024
Sidharth Gaikwad, Hope Khalili, and Hailey Palmer demonstrate their school spirit with their ski day outfits. To create anticipation for the Homecoming game and dance, SJHHS students participate in dress-up days.

Stallion Roundup 9/6-9/20

Gabriella Bello and Claire Stafford
September 23, 2024
Representing SJHHS at the District Dodgeball Tournament, Dillip Bandhal (12) and Rocco Jensen (12) throw in unison. Their team, “Dillip’n EM,” won the SJHHS Dodgeball Tournament and moved on to the district games.

Stallion Roundup 4/15-4/26

Claire Stafford and Maureen Pike
April 28, 2024
Talyn Hardy admires a color pencil illustration by Emily Nishti titled “The Truth Behind Femininity.” The piece was showcased in Retrospective, a student art exhibit.

Spree Hazen dances across the gym with dance teams form all over the Capistrano Unified school district as a part of Dance unity day. The teams spent all day in the SJHHS gym dancing and connecting with one another.

Chasen Colwell (12) runs to volley the ball during his match against San Clemente. This match was the last of the regular season as well as Senior Night, honoring the 9 seniors on San Juan Hills’ Boys Tennis Team.

A graphical representation of students on a crowed stairway between classes. An added passing period would be needed if the proposed schedule change is accepted.

Possible Bell Schedule Change Could Alter Tutorial

Claire Stafford, Co Editor-in-Chief
April 18, 2024
Meticulously crafting a New York Times inspired senior class poster, Commissioner of Publicity Anjali Mehra (12) prepares for Clash of the Classes. Creating posters inspired by brands that correspond with class colors is a longtime tradition of SJHHS’ annual Clash of the Classes.

Stallion Roundup 3/11-3/22

Maureen Pike and Claire Stafford
March 22, 2024
Graduating class of 2022 celebrate their victory at Clash of the Classes. Each grade level competed in a week of challenges to impress judges with their school spirit and gain the most points for their class.

Prepping for Clash of the Classes: A Guide

Claire Stafford, Co-Editor-in-Chief
March 6, 2024
The Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers will be facing off in the 58th Super Bowl on February 11th. Currently, the 49ers hold 5 Super Bowl titles, while the Chiefs hold 3.

[Photo] Super Bowl 58 has Arrived

Riley Savage, Staff Writer
February 10, 2024
Tlatonani Loia sands down the door of a trailer to prepare it for a fresh paint job. Loia is apart of Building Industry Technology Academy (BITA), a class offered at SJJHS that teaches student practical building and technological skills.

[Photo] Stallion Roundup 1/29- 2/9

Maureen Pike
February 9, 2024
The prequel to "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory" is out and you don't want to miss it!

[Photo] “Wonka” Movie: Sweet & Satisfying

Lucy Garibaldi, Staff Writer
January 29, 2024
Brief History: Mission Basilica, the seventh of 21 California Mission, that is located in San Juan Capistrano. Containing history of Acjachemen, Spanish, and Mexican heritage. Across from the Mission is the Los Rios District, a tourist attraction for being the oldest neighborhood in California.

[Photo] The Story Behind San Juan Monuments

Caoimhin Grothe-Brinton, Staff Writer
December 15, 2023
What in the World is Going on With Middle Schoolers?

What in the World is Going on With Middle Schoolers?

Claire Stafford, Co Editor-In-Cheif
December 15, 2023
Artwork illustrating the focus of the decline in reading books. Students are constantly balancing school work and extra curriculars, leaving no time to flip through pages.

[Photo] Do Not Read This Story

Sydney Hogancamp, Feature Editor
November 15, 2023
Model United Nations student George Zhe Wang (12), giving his argument towards real world issues. Students participate in debates and give their opinions on different topics and from the perspective of the country they represent.

Model United Nations Celebrates the Sucess of Their First Conference

Claire Stafford, Co-Editor-In-Cheif
October 8, 2023
Young and accomplished sailor Xyler Yee proudly showcases his many awards for his incredible talent. Xyler is ranked number one in all of Southern California for his sailing division and has competed in over 50 regadas, often earning first and second place.

[Photo] Xyler Yee Proves That You Can Sail Through Life

October 7, 2023
Because of new funding provided by Prop 28, more students like Talyn Hardy (12) have an opportunity to take ceramics classes. After only starting ceramics this year, Hardy has already had many opportunities to express herself creatively. “I just like that you can make things that are tangible,” said Hardy.

[Photo] Prop 28 Brings Art Funding

Sofia Bello, Photo Editor
September 22, 2023
New National Honors Society Adviser, Crystal Stevenson is excited to commence her first year at SJHHS. AS the Adviser she looks to uphold the four pillars that the organization is rooted in. “The focus is the four pillars, which are scholarship, character, service, and leadership,” said Stevenson.

National Honors Society Gets New Adviser

Claire Stafford, Co-Editor-In-Chief
September 22, 2023
Beginning intermediate dancer, Anali Policarpo performs a Baile Folklorico dance, a dance style that originated from Mexico. The signature colorful skirt twirls to the beat of the song “Colima.”

Traditional Mexican Dance Honored Through Anali Policarpo

Claire Stafford, Opinion
May 25, 2023
Jessica Garcia (11) throws a pot in ceramics class. Activities like this are made possible by the success of the ceramics fundraiser.

[Photo] Ceramics Program Raises $5,300 in Donations

Lexi Odekirk, Staff Writer
April 17, 2023
Untitled_Artwork

STEPS teacher, Ms. Cunningham, is pictured with student Gabriel Peña. The fifth day of Unity Week focuses on ableism and is meant to connect our community as a whole by depleting discrimination one day at a time.

Unity Week Educates Students on Ableism

Claire Stafford, Opinion Editor
March 7, 2023
For the Winter Formal Pep Rally, dance coach Kristine Calder’s interpretation of the theme “Winter in Paris” followed the story of a girl who gets stood up at the altar and goes on a solo honeymoon trip to Paris with the help of her friends. After the opera ballet, the girl meets someone in the park and the two instantly fall in love. Sparks fly between the two characters as “snow” falls in the air around them, bringing the production to a close.

[Photo] “A Winter in Paris” Captured in Photos

Sydney Wolfe, Photo Editor
January 27, 2023
Students working in the newly renovated library at SJHHS. Here students can receive tutoring as well as anything college and career related assistance.

[Photo] New College and Career Center to Open in December

Maureen Pike
November 17, 2022
Two protestors from environmental activist group Just Stop Oil threw soup on the historic Van Gogh painting "Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers" to bring attention to today's climate issues. However, vandalism is not the solution to solve a detrimental issue.

Cold Soup on Art Will Not Solve Today’s Climate Crisis

Claire Stafford, Opinion Editor
November 6, 2022
Kicks to Give Club Members joining together for their first meeting of the year. Members donate soccer equipment and write cards for children in Africa.

[Photo] Clubs Strive for Positive Impact in Community

October 25, 2022
Blood donations are essential for the success of modern healthcare. Giving blood can help save many lives.

Local Blood Drive Opens Donating Opportunities in the Community

Claire Stafford, Opinion Editor
October 20, 2022
Student and In-N-Out employee Veishali smiles during her shift. In-N-Out workers are often bombarded during the post-football game rush, making it a tough yet rewarding job.

In-N-Out Employees Endure the Friday Night Football Game Rush

Claire Stafford, Opinion Editor
October 6, 2022
Seniors James Branning, David Engle, and Brandon Sotelo sport their Hawaiian shirts on Wednesday for "Pool Day."

[Photo] Homecoming 2022 in Photos

Sydney Wolfe
October 2, 2022
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