• 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
Domenica Peloso

Domenica Peloso, Opinion Editor

Domenica Peloso is a senior at San Juan Hills High School, and a third-year opinion editor for The Express. For this up and coming year, Domenica hopes to uncover the important stories of her diverse community. Outside of The Express, she is President of National Honors Society, ASB Commissioner of Multicultural, and proud leader of the SJHHS Movie Club. In her free time, Domenica enjoys thrifting the most abominable clothing items known to mankind, and watching a variety of media ranging from nonsensical garbage (Love Island) to movies equitable to the original Mona Lisa (Call Me by Your Name, Kill Bill, Howl’s Moving Castle).

All content by Domenica Peloso
Hard at work, AP Biology student Iclia Rodriguez (12) finishes up her Unit five “Drosophila Genetics lab.” Unit five is centered on the study of heredity, and this lab focused on the genetics of fruit flies through an online simulation.

[Photo] A STEM Driven Future

Reese Whitehead, Staff Writer
December 9, 2024
Smiling from ear to ear, school representative Paul Freeman and Activities Director Brooke Valderrama show off their RFTB spirit by handing out sandwiches to ASB students.

[Photo] Stallion Round-Up 11/15 – 12/6

Sofia Bello and Sydney Hogancamp
December 7, 2024
Over the years, straight hair has become the universal beauty standard. This societal superiority of straight hair places unnecessary pressure on people with naturally curly hair. It is time that all hair types, whether pin-straight or tightly coiled, are loved the same.

Curly Hair Should be Embraced, Not Obscured

Domenica Peloso, Opinion Editor
November 15, 2024
During dress rehearsal, Clay Wittman (12) sits in preparation to act out his piece of the act. Clay plays the role of the pigeon, a messenger for the farm.

Animal Farm Slideshow

Caden Mai and Domenica Peloso
November 4, 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.

[Photo] Q&A with One Liberal, Moderate, Conservative

Claire Stafford, Feature Editor
November 3, 2024
Proudly posing in front of an altar celebrating Hispanic-American icon Jenni Rivera, Diana Vega (10) and Spanish teacher Alvaro Serrano show off their espíritu. In honor of Dia de los Muertos, the Spanish for Spanish Speakers II class made altars celebrating various icons who passed away.

[Photo] Stallion Round-Up 10/21-11/4

Sofia Bello, Arts & Entertainment Editor
November 3, 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.

Janey Gidion Celebrates 20th “Kidneyversary”

Domenica Peloso, Opinion Editor
October 18, 2024

Q&A with Area 2 Trustee Candidates

Domenica Peloso and Claire Stafford
October 11, 2024
It’s practically tradition at San Juan Hills to go to In-N-Out after a football game. However, this tradition has recently gotten out of hand for local In-N-Out employees. With students leaving shocking messes and overcrowding the establishment, In-N-Out has become a breeding ground for chaos.

[Photo] Overcrowding at In-n-Out: The Disrespect Has Gone Too Far

Chloe Porchia, Staff Writer
October 7, 2024
With the rise of Generation Alpha, attitudes towards authority figures have drastically changed. Because defying rules is the new “cool,” teachers and parents have found it increasingly difficult to command these unreasonable adolescents.

[Photo] Generational Defiance: An Issue With Our Youth

Iman Elkoustaf, Staff Writer
October 7, 2024
Posing with bright smiles, Frosh/Soph cheerleaders Summer Rice (10) and Alexandra McNutt (9) prepare to cheer on the Varsity Girls Flag Football team against Dana Hills. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the cheerleaders are sporting pink bows and pink pom poms.

[Photo] Stallion Roundup 9/23-10/4

Sofia Bello and Sydney Hogancamp
October 4, 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
As the student population increases, so does the competition to get into a "good" college. As a result, many students turn to unethical strategies such as embellished essays, fabricated extracurriculars, and even fake letters of recommendation in order to get into the college of their dreams.

College Applications: Root of Student Frustrations

Domenica Peloso, Opinion Editor
September 11, 2024
Included in the NSHSS invitation packet is the infamous "Proud Parent of a Scholar" bumper sticker. This is just another element that adds to the organization's illusion of prestige and exclusivity.

Is NSHSS a Scam?

Domenica Peloso, Opinion Editor
September 20, 2024
Proudly posing after their dynamic performance, pep rally MC’s Chase Walburger (12) and Zack Smith (12) show the student body how to properly RFTB. Smith shocked the crowd after quickly changing into a Mr. Incredible costume in order to reveal the 2024-2025 Homecoming theme: The Incredibles.

Back to School Pep Rally Slideshow

Domenica Peloso, Opinion Editor
September 4, 2024
Showing off her impressive athleticism, center flyer Greta Wolfsohn (12) stuns in a pyramid stunt. For its first performance of the school year, Varsity Cheer puts on a high-energy and dynamic routine.

With lights dimmed and anticipation brimming, SJHHS mascots Stella and Stanley hype up the senior crowd. The students who represent Stella and Stanley play an important role in the school community, and they often change from year to year.

Posing together with bright smiles, JV Song member Ava Alaniz (9) and ASB Freshman Representative Makena Malinauskas (9) show off their Stallion spirit. Minutes before the first pep rally, ASB members must make final touches to their decorations, and Pep Squad members must prepare for their high-energy performance.

Dressed in their Stallion spirit-wear, varsity cheerleader Peyton Esparza (12) and various ASB members wait for the first pep rally to begin. To kick off the 2024-2025 school year on the right foot, ASB put together a Back to School Pep Rally that took place during the first week of school.

With political tensions at an all-time high, flags have become a hot-button topic --- especially in classroom settings. A recent demonstration regarding a teacher's Pride and Palestinian flags has made several community members wonder: Are certain flags truly an affront to American values?

Substitute Teacher Removes Pride and Palestinian Flags

Domenica Peloso, Opinion Editor
May 24, 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.

[Photo] Stallion Roundup 4/15-4/26

Claire Stafford and Maureen Pike
April 28, 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.

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.

[Photo] Stallion Roundup 3/11-3/22

Maureen Pike and Claire Stafford
March 22, 2024
Most of Gen Z would agree that commitment is scarce in most relationships. For this reason, Snapchat has become a hot spot for online dating.

Left on “Opened“: Snapchat Dating Culture

Domenica Peloso, Opinion Editor
March 2, 2024
Posing in her flamboyant, "Rio" inspired costume, dance captain Danica Robertson (12) lights up the stage.

Dance’N’Toon Show

Domenica Peloso, Opinion Editor
February 26, 2024
Posing in their Catwoman, Joker, and Poison Ivy costumes, Jacqueline Kohl (12), Noemi Gonzalez (12), and Alexa Delgado (11) show off their moves in their DC Comics-inspired jazz number.

Dancing in unison, the SJHHS intermediate dance team performs in a Sing-inspired jazz number. The lead, Meadow Smith (12), danced in a koala costume based on the character Buster Moon.

Dancing as the dynamic duo Gunter and Rosita, Brooke Northway (10) and Zoe Pollei (10) captivate the audience in their Sing-inspired jazz number.

Posing in her white and pink costume, Mia Garcia shows off her moves in a Barbie-inspired jazz number. "I think the Barbie dance inspires girls to be anything they want to be," said Kristine Calder.

Posing in their Catwoman, Joker, and Poison Ivy costumes, Jacqueline Kohl (12), Noemi Gonzalez (12), and Alexa Delgado (11) show off their moves in their DC Comics-inspired jazz number.

Dancing in unison, the SJHHS intermediate dance team performs in a Sing-inspired jazz number. The lead, Meadow Smith (12), danced in a koala costume based on the character Buster Moon.

Dancing as the dynamic duo Gunter and Rosita, Brooke Northway (10) and Zoe Pollei (10) captivate the audience in their Sing-inspired jazz number.

Posing in her white and pink costume, Mia Garcia shows off her moves in a Barbie-inspired jazz number. "I think the Barbie dance inspires girls to be anything they want to be," said Kristine Calder.

A common phenomenon in today’s technology-dominated society is mass consumerism as a result of influencing. However, oftentimes the fate of these unnecessary purchases is a trip to the landfill. For this reason, before aimlessly purchasing something, one should ask themselves, “do I need this?”

[Photo] De-Influencing: Not Buying is Trending

Celeste Cariker, Co Editor-in-Chief
February 9, 2024
Spreading the love one decoration at a time, Nurse Kerry Coryell shows off her Valentine’s Day spirit in the health office. Coryell is known to show out for every holiday with festive decorations, whether that be for Thanksgiving, Halloween, or St. Patrick’s Day.

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

Maureen Pike
February 9, 2024
Proudly holding her YouTube play button, junior Alyssa Darland displays the physical symbol of all her hard work. Darland recieved her play button in 2022 for surpassing 100,000 subscribers.

YouTube Sensation: Alyssa Darland

Domenica Peloso, Opinion Editor
January 26, 2024
For most people, certain foods hold a special place in their hearts for various reasons. At SJHHS, Shaurya Sharma's (11) comfort meal is chicken tikka masala because it brings him closer to his culture, Iclia Rodriguez's comfort meal is pozole because it is a reminder of her mom's love, and Anastasia Nagorniuk's (11) comfort meal is pelmeni because it reminds her of childhood.

Comfort Meals: Love, Nostalgia, Culture

Domenica Peloso, Opinion Editor
December 18, 2023
Dancing in this high energy hip-hop number, K-pop club members Melania Velazquez (11), Cheyanne Lee (11), Nataly Corona (10) show off their moves. This club also goes by the name “Captivate,” and their Stray Kids inspired number took over two months to complete.

[Photo] Dance Program Performs Fusion Show

Sofia Bello and Maureen Pike
December 1, 2023
Proudly looking through past print editions, Co Editors-In-Chiefs Celeste Cariker (12) and Claire Stafford (11) remark on the various milestones The Express has surpassed in the last thirteen years. “I will say that student journalism is extremely underrepresented right now, and I think that we need a lot more school involvement in it,” said Stafford. Cariker and Stafford plan on reviving The Express’ relevancy this year through more frequent print editions and through social media.

The Express Through Time

Domenica Peloso, Opinion Editor
October 22, 2023
Senior Zakiah (Zuh-key-yuh) Sesay is named after the Quran, and her name translates to the word "pure". "Even though it is rarely pronounced correctly, I love my name and I think it fits me," said Sesay.

Unique Names Should be Embraced, Not Obscured

Domenica Peloso, Opinion Editor
October 11, 2023
This graphic depicts the snowball effect, which is the idea that small actions can snowball into even bigger outcomes, ultimately resulting in a huge change. This idea plays a part in many student's academic lives because the pressures of today often spiral into larger consequences.

The Snowball Effect of Academic Pressure

Domenica Peloso, Opinion Editor
September 22, 2023
Decked out in all white, ASB members Whitney Shady (11), Aidan Alaniz (11), Carson De’Filippo (12), and Gael Galeana (11) get their glow on at the Back to School Glow Dance. After three long years, the Glow Dance makes a triumphant return.

2023-24: The Year Stallion Tradition Returns

Domenica Peloso, Opinion Editor
September 22, 2023
Behind the scenes of Every 15 Minutes, Lily Esparza (12) is getting her makeup done to appear as though she was in a gruesome car accident. As the designated victim who is dead on arrival, she is given several gashes all throughout her face and limbs.

[Photo] Photo Gallery Remembering Every 15 Minutes

Sofia Bello, Photo Editor
May 9, 2023
The Hunger Games universe makes a surprising come back after Netflix released all four movies for a limited time. Suzan Collin’s story remains as one of the most notorious dystopian novels of all time due to her incorporation of timely political allegory.

The Hunger Games is Uncomfortably Realistic

Domenica Peloso, A&E Editor
April 28, 2023
Senior Peyton Leonard, who earlier this year committed to Pepperdine, pitches in a game against Capistrano Valley (3/7). Photo by Blake Davenport

Girls Softball Shines at Gold Game

Domenica Peloso, A&E Outside
March 9, 2023
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.

[Photo] Unity Week Educates Students on Ableism

Claire Stafford, Opinion Editor
March 7, 2023
Cupid’s arrow and candy hearts are classic symbols of Valentine’s Day, “the day of love”. But in this case, a candy heart is pictured with several bruises and blood streaming from its base, thus picturing the dark side of love that is breakups.

Valentine’s Day for the Valentine-less

Domenica Peloso, A&E Outside
February 16, 2023
"Anything but a Backpack Day" returns for a second year, encouraging creativity and school spirit throughout the SJHHS student body. Daisy Olson (12) participates by substituting a backpack for a pet carrier.

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

Sydney Wolfe, Photo Editor
January 27, 2023
Varsity cheerleaders stand with aspiring young athletes, otherwise known as “Future Stallions,” who are given the opportunity to dance alongside current Stallion cheerleaders and experience a highschool football game every year.

[Photo] Stallion Football: 2022 Season Recap

Sydney Wolfe, Photo Editor
November 30, 2022
The shift from sunny to cloudy weather that comes along with changing seasons affects some in more ways than others. For many, this shift only invites seasonal depression to rear its ugly head.

Seasonal Changes are No Joke for People with Seasonal Depression

Domenica Peloso, A&E Editor
November 17, 2022
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