The student news site of Bellaire High School

Three Penny Press
The student news site of Bellaire High School

Three Penny Press
The student news site of Bellaire High School

Three Penny Press
Sonya Kulkarni

Sonya Kulkarni, Executive Editor-in-Chief

Sonya Kulkarni, Executive Editor-in-Chief, is a senior and third-year staffer. She joined the Three Penny Press because she loves to write and believes that it provides a space for students to voice their thoughts and opinions, as well as develop leadership and critical thinking skills. Outside of school, she can be found doing research projects, binge-watching British shows, and playing with her Shih Tzu, Luna. She is extremely passionate about everything medical- and business-related, and stays relatively sane by drinking copious amounts of tea! 

All content by Sonya Kulkarni
McDonough addresses current and former students, parents, friends and teachers at his retirement celebration on Feb. 2. McDonough spoke about his career highlights and passion for education.

McDonough’s side of the story: a look into the former principal’s removal from Bellaire

Nabila Wilson and Sonya Kulkarni
Apr 3, 2023
Since affirmative action was first established there has been controversy surrounding whether colleges should factor in race when considering applicants for admission.

Race to the top: students weigh in on affirmative action

Andrew Liu, Claire Bradford, Haset Mekuria, and Sonya Kulkarni
Feb 11, 2023
Kulkarni said she was thrilled when she found out she would be traveling to Washington D.C. to meet some of her greatest role models. She will be studying in D.C. March 4-11.

[Photo] D.C.-bound

Claire Bradford, Reporter
Jan 22, 2023
McDonough attends the Welcome Back Car Parade for Principals in August of 2020. McDonough has worked for HISD for 30 years.

Principal McDonough to retire after 10 years of service

Sonya Kulkarni, Executive Editor-in-Chief
Oct 10, 2022
A student displays her handmade sign supporting McDonough's reinstatement. Senior Nick Palma said he believes this protest will help bring Mr. McDonough back. “I feel like a walkout is something needed for the unneeded replacement of Mr McDonough,” Palma said.

Students hold walk out in protest of principal Michael McDonough’s reassignment

Sonya Kulkarni, Editor-in-Chief
May 27, 2022
(From left) Debbie Campbell and Principal Michael McDonough smile as Campbell is rewarded the 2015 employee of the month for HISD. “Debbie Campbell is that perfect team member who is always striving to make each family’s experience with Bellaire a powerful one,” McDonough said.

[NEWS BRIEF] Principal Michael McDonough temporarily reassigned

Ariana Castañeda and Sonya Kulkarni
May 5, 2022
The National Education Association and the National Parent Teacher Association have suggested that a healthy number of hours that students should be spending can be determined by the "10-minute rule." This means that each grade level should have a maximum homework time incrementing by 10 minutes depending on their grade level (for instance, ninth-graders would have 90 minutes of homework, 10th-graders should have 100 minutes, and so on).

Students spend three times longer on homework than average, survey reveals

Sonya Kulkarni and Pallavi Gorantla
Jan 9, 2022
[HOB] Shivam Nayyar

[HOB] Shivam Nayyar

Jason Deng, Rohan Parikh, and Sonya Kulkarni
Jan 8, 2022
[HOB] Emma Kay

[HOB] Emma Kay

Ariana Castañeda and Sonya Kulkarni
Nov 15, 2021
[HOB] Coach Mayo

[HOB] Coach Mayo

Sophia Li, Heldana Yacob, and Sonya Kulkarni
Nov 15, 2021
[HOB] Karla Ramirez

[HOB] Karla Ramirez

Salma Abuzaher, Corinthiann St. Andry, and Sonya Kulkarni
Nov 15, 2021
[HOB] Ella Castillo

[HOB] Ella Castillo

Trinity Sloan and Sonya Kulkarni
Nov 15, 2021
[HOB] Hilary Schulze

[HOB] Hilary Schulze

Aniket Panicker and Sonya Kulkarni
Nov 15, 2021
[HOB] Jingyu Wu

[HOB] Jingyu Wu

Alexa Bu and Sonya Kulkarni
Nov 15, 2021
[HOB] Kendall Ogle

[HOB] Kendall Ogle

Ariana Castañeda, Michael Liu, and Sonya Kulkarni
Nov 15, 2021
[HOB] Flynn Collins

[HOB] Flynn Collins

Alexa Bu, Kate Griffiths, Sonya Kulkarni, and Corinthiann St. Andry
Nov 15, 2021
[HOB] Stephanie Ragno

[HOB] Stephanie Ragno

Sonya Kulkarni, Sophia Li, Aniket Panicker, Corinthiann St. Andry, and Heldana Yacob
Nov 15, 2021
Superintendent Millard House II speaks about his experience in education. House II, who was formerly a Superintendent in Tennessee, said he is excited to assume the new role.

HISD Superintendent visits Bellaire, receives feedback from community

Sonya Kulkarni, Editor-in-Chief
Oct 8, 2021
Algebra I teacher Maggie Jernigan, in room 1718, explains how to solve a variable for her 4th period class. Jernigan walks around and guides students through their assignment. As a floating teacher, she will be in another class next period.

New math teachers bring international experience

Jason Deng, Smruthi Garlapati, Cambry Gerardi, and Sonya Kulkarni
Oct 2, 2021
Learning via video call has had unexpected effects on students. Oftentimes, students experience a lack of connection between their peers and an overwhelming sense of anxiety.

From Zoom breakouts to Zoom burnouts: how to relieve digital exhaustion

Sonya Kulkarni, News Editor
May 27, 2021

[Video] Power outages, snow force sophomore to camp out in nearby synagogue

Sonya Kulkarni, News Editor
Mar 31, 2021
From left, Name That Book team members Rebecca Chen, Dilara Muslu, Bailey Sutton, Taryn Morris and Trinity Sloan. The team competed by joining a Microsoft Teams call that was projected on the classroom’s whiteboard.

Name That Book team places second in district finals amidst worries of cancellation

Sonya Kulkarni, News Editor
Mar 21, 2021
Members of Students Without Borders and the Medical Club hosted a second virtual event on Feb. 18, which featured Dr. Supriya Ramanathan, MD and physician at the UT Pediatrics High Risk Clinic.

Students Without Borders, Medical Club host speaker series with health professionals

Sonya Kulkarni, News Editor
Feb 24, 2021
Sonya Kulkarni uses her iPad to research, download and read books. Published in 2019, the book, "Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life" is a National Bestseller.

Become ‘Indistractable’: Distraction-proof your mind

Sonya Kulkarni, News Editor
Feb 21, 2021
The Students Demand Action club hosted the commemoration of Cesar Cortes as a live speaker event on Jan. 15.

Community remembers Cesar Cortes one year later

Sonya Kulkarni and Pallavi Gorantla
Jan 15, 2021
This year is the 42nd consecutive year that Mr. McDonough and his father have watched the home opener of the Astros together.

Bellaire principal Michael McDonough considers every hurdle a learning experience

Sonya Kulkarni, News Editor
Dec 14, 2020
Club hosts game night fundraiser

Club hosts game night fundraiser

Sonya Kulkarni and Pallavi Gorantla
Dec 6, 2020
Organizations Bellaire Young Democrats (BYD), Vote Tripling, MOVE Texas, and Houston Youth Climate Strike (HYCS) teamed up on Oct. 19 to educate students on the process of casting a ballot, provide helpful resources, and respond to FAQs about civic engagement for youth who have not yet reached the voting age.

Young Voters take action to make voices heard

Sonya Kulkarni, News Editor
Nov 2, 2020
Rocks painted by members of Students Demand Action on issues such as Black Lives Matter and gun violence.

Political clubs take action against injustice

Sonya Kulkarni, News Editor
Oct 13, 2020
Nurse Chantini Thomas enjoys her time at a nursing convention.

Nurse outlines plans for students’ safe return to campus

Sonya Kulkarni, News Editor
Oct 13, 2020
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