• 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
Grace Aitken

Grace Aitken, Co Editor-in-Chief

Grace Aitken is a senior and excited to start her third year writing for The Express Newspaper as the Co Editor-In-Chief.  After school she likes to horseback ride, read, and spend time with her friends. She’s been skiing at Mammoth Mountain since she was 3 and it is one of her favorite places to be. Her favorite stories to write are opinion pieces on current events and she is very interested in politics. 

All content by Grace Aitken
A group of seniors pose with their guns on the first day of Senior Assassins. The game was cut short last week due to COVID-19 concerns, the first year without a winner.

Senior Assassins Game Cut Short- All Money To Be Donated To COVID-19 Relief

Grace Aitken, Co Editor-in-Chief
April 10, 2020
SJHHS alumni and current college sophomore Olivia Fu wears a mask soon after learning she contracted COVID-19. Due to a misleading label on her test results, she thought she had tested negative for the virus for three days before being informed that she was in fact positive.

An Alumna’s Journey With COVID-19

Grace Aitken, Co Editor-in-Chief
April 1, 2020
California Voters Prepare for Super Tuesday

California Voters Prepare for Super Tuesday

Grace Aitken, Co Editor-in-Chief
March 2, 2020
Grace Gentry (12) positions herself to make a basket during Tuesday’s Senior Night game against Mission Viejo High School. Gentry finished with 14 points as the Stallions beat the Diablos by a score of 59-27.

Girls Basketball Wins League For Second Year

Grace Aitken, Co Editor-In-Chief
February 28, 2020
Principal Hornig speaks in front of students and their families at the Winter National Letters of Intent signing. Hornig gave advice to future Chapman University football player Parker Whitham (12) and future swimmer for California Polytechnic State University Lauren Gleason (12).

Hornig Takes Over As Interim Principal

Grace Aitken, Co Editor-in-Chief
February 28, 2020
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[Photo] Why The Government Is Behind The Black Death

Ryan Healy, Art, Graphics, & Video Editor
March 9, 2020
Grace Gentry (12) positions herself to make a basket during Tuesday’s Senior Night game against Mission Viejo High School. Gentry finished with 14 points as the Stallions beat the Diablos by a score of 59-27.

Stallion Life 1/17-1/31

Grace Aitken, Editor-in-Chief
January 31, 2020
Back row (from left): Kayden Karti, Namiah Miller, Nadine Tong, Mina Mahmoodzadeh, and Aaron Hernandez. Front row (from left): Araceli Carreon, Lexie Guzik, and Varshitha Selvarajan Uma.

Diversity on Campus

Riley Goodfellow, Grace Aitken, Ella Villar, Kate Meyers, and Sandhya Ganesan
December 13, 2019

Araceli Carreon

Grace Aitken, Co Editor-In-Chief
December 13, 2019

White Robes Create Unnecessary Emphasis On GPA

Grace Aitken, Co Editor-In-Chief
November 3, 2019
Christine Bak-Boychuk, the club advisor, discusses the allocation of donated money with members of the Donate-A-Dance club.

Donate-A-Dance Club Provides Dance Tickets to Students in Need

Grace Aitken, Co Editor-In-Chief
October 6, 2019
Brother Boberg speaks to students during early morning Seminary at SJHHS.

LDS Seminary Moves to Campus

Ben Bartlett and Grace Aitken
September 15, 2019
New Abortion Laws Wage War On Women's Freedom

New Abortion Laws Wage War On Women’s Freedom

Grace Aitken, News Editor
June 1, 2019
On Monday, March 11 baseball played against Dana Hills High High School. Dana Hills won 6-1.

[Photo] A Week at SJHHS

Sandhya Ganesan, Feature Editor
March 14, 2019
Liam O'Connor swings for the fences against Dana Hills. On Monday, March 11 baseball played against Dana Hills High High School, eventually losing 6-1.

[Photo] Spring Sports Slideshow

Jack O'Connor
March 19, 2019
Olivia Price and Sierra Young recently got admitted to Carnegie Mellon University, for technical theater, the best program in the country. Young designed sets and Price designed lighting for many Stallion Theater Company shows, and they look forward to continuing their education doing what they love.

Students Accepted to Top University for Technical Theater

Grace Aitken, News Editor
March 5, 2019
Giovanna Cortes won AVID's 2019 Senior Standout. She will receive a scholarship at the awards ceremony in April.

Giovanna Cortes Wins AVID Senior Standout

Grace Aitken, News Editor
February 28, 2019
Out of 20 attendees, 8 SJHHS students won awards. Top row (from left to right): Jaden Bryan, Emma Dart, and Matthew Monsoor. Bottom row (from left to right): Luciana Benzan, Solei Sarmiento, Grace Dennen, Tara Goldhammer and Bonny Jimenez.

SJHHS MUN Wins 8 Awards at Laguna Hills Conference

Grace Aitken, News Editor
February 25, 2019
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[Photo] Are Horror Movies Worth the Trouble?

February 14, 2019
The 2018-2019 Express staff wearing shirts that quote California Education Code 48907.

New Publications Policy Affirms Student Rights

Grace Aitken, News Editor
February 5, 2019
The legal counsel of the Capistrano Unified School District, Stan Barankiewicz, gives a presentation on the four alternatives available for the construction of the extension of the SR-241. Barankiewicz points out inconsistencies, inaccuracies, and blatant information that has been withheld from the public such as the actual measurements and scaling labels in released graphics.

School District Sues Agencies Over Proposed Toll Road Plans

Grace Aitken, News Editor
February 5, 2019
Netflix's "Bandersnatch" Redefines Movie Viewing

Netflix’s “Bandersnatch” Redefines Movie Viewing

Grace Aitken, News Editor
January 31, 2019
2018 was filled with many fashion trends, including teddy jackets, air pods, and kanken bags. It also saw the return of many former trends, like scrunchies, birkenstocks, and corduroy.

[Photo] 2018 Most Popular Trends

January 17, 2019
Abbey Dayton is the outside hitter for the SJHHS varsity girls volleyball team. She has won many awards for her achievements in volleyball, including South Coast League MVP and CIF team 1. She has committed to play volleyball at Brigham Young University in the fall.

[Photo] Abbey Dayton "Sets" The Bar High

January 22, 2019
This Silverado is far from stock. Bumper to bumper, Vanderbroek has fully customized everything you could ever think of.

[Photo] The Mightiest Steed in the Parking Lot

December 17, 2018
"A Star Is Born" Comes Up Short

“A Star Is Born” Comes Up Short

Grace Aitken, News Editor
November 12, 2018
Un agente de Inmigracion y Control de Aduanas de los Estados Unidos arresta a un sospechoso.

ICE Sigue Bajo Examinación Mientras Continúan Arrestos

Grace Aitken, News Editor
October 25, 2018
Un agente de Inmigracion y Control de Aduanas de los Estados Unidos arresta a un sospechoso.

ICE Under Scrutiny as Arrests Continue

Grace Aitken, News Editor
October 25, 2018
A representative from Vanderbilt University came to SJHHS last week to discuss admission, financial aid, and different programs.

[Photo] Colleges From Across The Country Visit SJHHS

October 11, 2018
San Juan Capistrano board members, Susan Holliday and Clark Hampton, discuss the future of the sex-ed program for CUSD.

CUSD Continues Effort to Implement CHYA

Grace Aitken, News Editor
October 10, 2018
Out of the 28 SJHHS students who attended SOCOMUN, nine won awards. Top row (from left to right): Grace Dennen, Sophie Scullion, Cooper Murr, Tara Goldhammer, and Bonny Jimenez. Bottom row (from left to right): Emma Dart, Mohana Sen, Isabel Royal, and Grace Aitken.

Model U.N. Team Wins Awards at South County Competition

Grace Aitken, Staff Writer
September 24, 2018
Many major news outlets, including KTLA and ABC were present at the 9/12 board meeting.

ANHS Accused of Racism At Football Game

Grace Aitken, News Editor
September 13, 2018
New academic advisor to SJHHS, Elise Butler, stands outside of the guidance office.

[Photo] New Academic Advisor Joins High School's Faculty

September 20, 2018
From left to right: Jack Hartstein (12), Kyle Krueger (12), Ava Bachelder (11), and Jackson Hinkle (12), watch as their peers speak in favor of the new gun control resolution. The resolution passed 4-3.

CUSD Passes Student Proposed Resolution on School Safety

Grace Aitken, Op-Ed Editor
May 7, 2018
Black Panther's Success Proves the Importance of Diversity in Hollywood

Black Panther’s Success Proves the Importance of Diversity in Hollywood

Grace Aitken, Op-Ed Editor
May 4, 2018
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A well dressed gentleman, played by Tristan Webster (12), hits Fantine because she refused to sell her body to him. He later blames her for the attack, and she is almost arrested by Javert.

[Photo] Slideshow: Les Misérables Outshines and Outsells

Kaden Brown, Photo Editor
April 28, 2018
Monsieur and Madame Thenardier,

[Photo] Les Misérables Production Breaks Records

April 30, 2018

Pregnancy Scare

Grace Aitken, Staff Writer
March 13, 2018
Health and AP Lang Teacher Sharon Spiers and History Teacher Robert Spiers are a married couple that have been teaching together for years. They love their job and being able to be in the same workplace.

The Power Couple of San Juan Hills: The Spiers

Grace Aitken, Op-Ed Editor
March 12, 2018
(From left) Kyle Copley, Gabby Bellizzi, and Dalton Bourne consistently demonstrate their atheltic and academic abilities at SJHHS every day. Bellizzi plays volleyball, Bourne participates in cross country and track, and Copley takes part in cross country, track, and tennis.

Dominating Classes and the Court: Top Student-Athletes

Grace Aitken, Op-Ed Editor
March 12, 2018
Janet Vandegraff, played by Delaney Puthuff (11) gives a dramatic grand finale to her life in show business as she exits through the bottom of the stage. She plans to give up stardom to marry businessman Robert Martin.

[Photo] Theater Puts on “The Drowsy Chaperone:” a Roaring Success

Kate Finman, News Editor
January 28, 2018
Virtual Enterprise Class Performs Well At Recent Conferences

Virtual Enterprise Class Performs Well At Recent Conferences

Grace Aitken, Op-Ed Editor
January 21, 2018

Yes, Gun Control Laws Work and Yes, America Needs More

Grace Aitken, Op-Ed Editor
December 20, 2017
Recent Sexual Misconduct Allegations Reveal the True Culture of the Workplace

Recent Sexual Misconduct Allegations Reveal the True Culture of the Workplace

Grace Aitken, Op-Ed Editor
December 14, 2017
Danielle Serio holding the certificate for the "Extra Miler" award she won on November 8.

Danielle Serio Wins “Extra Miler” Award

Grace Aitken, Op-Ed Editor
December 3, 2017
Aguirre-Stanton, along with the rest of the 5th period yoga class, demonstrate the Sukhasana pose, also known as the “Easy Pose.” This, along with other yoga poses the students learn help maintain physical and mental health.

[Photo] Last Man Stretching

October 30, 2017
Erika Wiles (12) stands at the serving line, ready to start the play for a volleyball game. Volleyball started their season over summer and are undefeated league champions.

Commitment and Stallion Athletics: Is it too Much?

Grace Aitken, Op-Ed Editor
October 20, 2017
Lucas Winkler (right) is competing in a practice sabre fencing match against another member of his fencing club, Avant Garde Fencing. He travels to LA to practice 3-4 times a week.

Fencing: So What’s the Point?

Grace Aitken, Op-Ed Editor
October 2, 2017
Mr. Serrano is ecstatic to be back and teaching in his old classroom after taking a year sabbatical in Spain.

Serrano Returns From Spain

Sam Newman and Grace Aitken
September 20, 2017
Robert "Bob" Nietzel posthumously accepted the Medal of Honor in 2014 for his cousin Alfred, who did in combat in 1944.

[Photo] Photograph Of Fallen WWII Hero Emerges After 76 Years

May 22, 2020
In the new Stem Lab class the students frequently work with 3D printers, along with other kinds of groundbreaking technology.

[Photo] Engineering Lab a Work in Progress

September 20, 2017
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