The Student News Site of Del Oro High School

The Sunburst
Last year's Winter formal, "A Night Under the Stars," was Del Oro's first off-campus dance and was held at the Bakersfield Music Hall of Fame. This year's event, "Winter Wonderland," will be at the Kern County Fairgrounds.
Get Ready For A Winter Wonderland
Andy Ramirez has been a custodian with the Kern High School District for five years.
Cleaner Campus A Goal for Custodians
ASB and Cheer put a lot of effort into planning campus events like last month's fall rally; however, all that work means little if students don't develop a sense of school spirit.
Where’s the School Spirit?
Preparations have already begun for this year's Sol 2 Sol car show. Sunburst reporter Ernest Jones IV (pictured_ speaks with Del Oro Assistant Principal of Instruction Chris Dutton to find out more about this year's show, which will be in the quad on Nov. 15.
Prepping for a Bigger, Better Car Show
Head varsity football coach Pete Hernandez was interviewed during Friday's broadcast.
Suns Shine “In The Huddle”
Senior Noel Huato cruised to a first-place finish at Saturday's Kern County Championships.
Boys Cross Country Cruises to Win at Kern County Championships
Naomi Rincon is the first Suns tennis player to advance to the California Interscholastic Federation’s Central Section south area tournament, which runs Nov. 7-8 at Garces High School.
This Sun’s Not Ready To Stop Playing
The Suns girls golf team captured its first South Yosemite Horizon League title on Oct. 15 at North Kern Golf Course.
Girls Golf Captures SYHL Championship
Senior Adrian Gracian and the rest of the Del Oro varsity football team look to claim a potential playoff spot with a win on Thursday over East High.
Suns Host East High on Thursday
A helmet, shoulder pads and a jersey worn by Del Oro wide receiver Ernest Jones IV lay on the sidelines during Friday's game at Mira Monte. The senior wideout was one of several Suns whose frustrations took over during the loss against the Lions.
Is Season Over for Suns Football?
Spanish professor Erik Villegas discusses the significance of Dia de los Muertos and his personal connection to the day honoring the dead
Why Dia de los Muertos Matters
Sophomore Khloe Soto (center) was among more than 500 high school and middle school cheerleaders who took the field at halftime during UCLA’s home game against Minnesota on Oct. 12.
No Time to Rest for Band, Cheer
Rayannah Ward (center) leads the way to front of the stage during Friday's Sunchella.
Scenes From Sunchella
Freshman Aidan Alvarez Lopez celebrates his Capture the Flag win during Thursday's rally.
Getting Hyped for Sunchella
In February, Del Oro students participated in a walkout and marched to downtown Bakersfield to protest immigration raids in Kern County.
Fear Shouldn’t Silence a Community
Senior Estefany Cano, The Sunburst's editor-in-chief, is also active in soccer and Mariachi. She was The Sunburst's photo editor as a sophomore and junior.
More Than Just a Photographer
Seniors Michelle Hernandez Moreno (L) and Miley Hernandez Moreno have made an indelible impact on Del Oro’s campus culture, from academics to activities and athletics. This fall, they’ll begin attending classes at California State University, Bakersfield.
Hernandez sisters look back on their time as Suns
Sunburst Editor-in-Chief Kayla Vaughn received acceptance letters from Pepperdine University and six University of California schools, but this fall she will attend classes at prestigious Wellesley College, a primarily all-women's college in Massachusetts. The school's notable alumnae includes former U.S. Senator and First Lady Hillary Clinton, former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, writer and director Nora Ephron, and journalists Cokie Roberts and Diane Sawyer.
Letter from the Editor: Signing Off <3
Navigating the Waters of High School Misconceptions
Henry Rubalcado (left) and Alberto Acevedo (right) play Victor Frankenstein and The Creature.
The Birth of a Monster
Senior Timothy Espinosa plays the keyboards during the Jazz band's performance on Thursday during the Ecos de Pasado carnival.
Community Comes Together At Ecos Del Pasado
For the second Tiny Classroom Concert, the Del Oro Jazz band performed a pair of Duke Ellington tunes in Room 603.
Tiny Classroom Concerts: Del Oro Jazz Band
Sunburst Editor-in-Chief Estefany Cano offers suggestions on the best way to spend $20 at the Kern County Fair.
Enjoying the Kern County Fair on a Budget
Del Oro's Mariachi group, Rayos de Oro, performed in Room 603 as part of the initial Rising Suns Weekly Tiny Classroom Concert series.
Tiny Classroom Concerts: Rayos de Oro
The Student News Site of Del Oro High School

The Sunburst
The Student News Site of Del Oro High School

The Sunburst
Gael Valdez

Gael Valdez, Staff Writer

Gael Valdez, a senior, is a multimedia journalist for The Sunburst who enjoys shooting and editing his own videos and photos. This is his first year with The Sunburst.

Outside of his work with The Sunburst, he loves playing music, whether it be for school or a punk project. He is undecided as to his post-graduation plans.

All content by Gael Valdez
Senior Sonia Alba (center), captured third place at the South Yosemite Horizon League championships. Alba is shown with teammates Valerie Vargas (left) and Leslie Moreno at last week's Kern County Championships at Hart Memorial Park.

[Photo] Boys Cross Country Wins 3rd SYHL Championship

November 16, 2025
Spanish professor Erik Villegas discusses the significance of Dia de los Muertos and his personal connection to the day honoring the dead

Why Dia de los Muertos Matters

Gael Valdez and Angel Duran
November 4, 2025
Senior Adrian Gracian and the rest of the Del Oro varsity football team look to claim a potential playoff spot with a win on Thursday over East High.

[Photo] Suns Host East High on Thursday

Estefany Cano, Editor-in-Chief
October 27, 2025
A helmet, shoulder pads and a jersey worn by Del Oro wide receiver Ernest Jones IV lay on the sidelines during Friday's game at Mira Monte. The senior wideout was one of several Suns whose frustrations took over during the loss against the Lions.

Is Season Over for Suns Football?

Estefany Cano, Angel Duran, and Gael Valdez
October 26, 2025

[Video] Tiny Classroom Concerts: Del Oro Jazz Band

From Staff Reports
October 13, 2025
Sunburst Editor-in-Chief Estefany Cano offers suggestions on the best way to spend $20 at the Kern County Fair.

[Video] Enjoying the Kern County Fair on a Budget

Estefany Cano, Editor-in-Chief
September 26, 2025
Del Oro's Mariachi group, Rayos de Oro, performed in Room 603 as part of the initial Rising Suns Weekly Tiny Classroom Concert series.

[Video] Tiny Classroom Concerts: Rayos de Oro

Merelin Morales, News Editor
September 14, 2025
Suns senior Ernest Jones IV carries the American flag onto the field prior to Friday's home opener against Santa Maria.

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