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
Sophia Zhao

Sophia Zhao, Entertainment Editor

Sophia Zhao is a senior and third year staffer, as well as an entertainment editor. From growing up devouring books, she grew a love for writing creatively. She joined TPP to capture Bellaire’s diverse community in different medias. Her hobbies include listening to the rain or Lana Del Rey while reading and taking naps with her cat Maomi. When she’s not in a studio getting her clothes stained with oil paint, she’s finding new thrift stores, snapping memories on her new digital camera, or making time for friends.

All content by Sophia Zhao
Giulia Ewing poses for her first photoshoot in 2021. Her headshot is used for her profile for castings.

On the runway to on set

Sophia Zhao, Entertainment Editor
Nov 4, 2024
Essam Zaman is this year's NHS webmaster. He presents a sideshow on the NHS website.

NHS welcomes new, old members at first meeting

Sophia Zhao and Bethel Kifle
Oct 8, 2024
Morales utilizes Google Classroom for his students' assignments for each new unit of organic chemistry. He plans to teach 13 units of the class in total.

Bonded together: New afterschool O-chem class starts

Ellie Zacharia, Ella Sotiriades, Sophia Zhao, Bethel Kifle, and Mallika Mohan
Oct 2, 2024
As a member of the Contemporary Arts Museum teen council, Shen's artwork was displayed in one of their featured galleries. She poses with senior Katelyn Ta.

HUMANS OF BELLAIRE – Sara Shen

Sophia Zhao, Entertainment Editor
Jun 6, 2024
Johanna Wen - Art Director

[ART ESSAY] Graduating seniors

Johanna Wen, Angel Harper, Ashley Park, Ella Sotiriades, Helen Beebe, Marina Martinez, Sophia Zhao, and Joy Xia
Jun 4, 2024
Dune Part 2 was released on March 1, 2024, in theaters. The movie, which was directed by Denis Villeneuve, has grossed $695.8 million worldwide.

‘Dune: Part Two’: A cinematic sci-fi masterpiece

Sophia Zhao, Entertainment Editor
May 9, 2024
When the Italian exchange students arrived at the airport, their host families awaited them at the arrivals center. They welcomed them with a big sign.

Welcome to Houston

Sophia Zhao
Apr 5, 2024
Graduate student Jennifer Wang and Matthew Yeh from MIT and Harvard present the program schedule and lesson plans to students.

Introducing computing research to the new generation

Sophia Zhao, Entertainment Editor
Feb 26, 2024
Benson Boone's new single "Beautiful Things" captures the desperate fear of losing what we love. Its soulful relatability and catchy chorus are what made “Beautiful Things” reach #8 on the Billboard Top 100 in the month since its release on Jan. 18.

[Photo] Holding on to those ‘Beautiful Things’

Claire Bradford, Features Editor
Feb 20, 2024
In Killarney National Park, you can explore over 26,000 acres of lakes, woodlands, waterfalls, and natural heritage. It has gorgeous green forests that surround the park for hiking.

Travel chronicles: Where to next in 2024?

Sophia Zhao, Entertainment Editor
Feb 16, 2024
Every year the choir students hold a fundraiser. For $10 one can send around five or more choir students to a loved one of choice. While this interrupts class time, its always a beloved tradition to listen to cute pop-songs.

[ART ESSAY] Valentine’s Day

Johanna Wen, Marina Martinez, Ashley Park, Helen Beebe, Angel Harper, Sophia Zhao, Joy Xia, and Ella Sotiriades
Feb 14, 2024
Linda poses with her friends at a beach in Italy. The beach is called Spiaggia di Villanova.

Exchanging identities for education

Sophia Zhao, Entertainment Editor
Jan 18, 2024
In Barbie's opening scene, Margot Robbie stands tall, towering over the land. She is portrayed as a role model to young girls.

What was I made for?

Sophia Zhao, Entertainment Editor
Nov 5, 2023

HUMANS OF BELLAIRE – College Center

Haset Mekuria and Sophia Zhao
Oct 27, 2023
HUMANS OF BELLAIRE Graduation Countdown - Class of 2023

HUMANS OF BELLAIRE Graduation Countdown – Class of 2023

Claire Bradford, Audrey Han, Sophia Zhao, Blen Abebe, Angel Harper, Johanna Wen, Nabila Wilson, and Hannah Turner
Jun 4, 2023
HUMANS OF BELLAIRE - Amy He, Valedictorian

HUMANS OF BELLAIRE – Amy He, Valedictorian

Sophia Zhao
Jun 4, 2023
HUMANS OF BELLAIRE - Azkar Madison

HUMANS OF BELLAIRE – Azkar Madison

Sophia Zhao
Jun 4, 2023
HUMANS OF BELLAIRE - Charlie Truitt

HUMANS OF BELLAIRE – Charlie Truitt

Sophia Zhao
Jun 4, 2023
Characters Bryce Quinlan, Rhysand, and Inej from books : Crescent City, Six of Crows, and A Court of Thorns and Roses.

Worth the hype?

Sophia Zhao, Reporter
Apr 17, 2023
In a fierce battle, HADV English teacher Kathryn Eccles maneuvers her tube to catch the ball. She scored a goal for the teacher team.

Fierce battle of the floaties

Sophia Zhao and Emily Vaughan
Apr 3, 2023
The chicken bento box contained a variety of foods, including sushi and rice. The Japanese Club sold over 200 bentos.

[NEWS BRIEF] Japanese Club holds luncheon to raise funds

Sophia Zhao and Haset Mekuria
Mar 12, 2023
HUMANS OF BELLAIRE – Alexandra Maglaras, 11

HUMANS OF BELLAIRE – Alexandra Maglaras, 11

Sophia Zhao and Grace Turney
Feb 25, 2023
Students fill the seats in LGI 2 to watch teachers compete against Quiz Bowl club members. Many students received extra credit for attending.

Clashing of the Cardinals

Grace Turney and Sophia Zhao
Feb 9, 2023
Juanita Camarillo raises her hands as she sings "Graves Into Gardens" by Brandon Lake and Elevation Worship. She is FCA's sponsor.

[NEWS BRIEF] Sounds of faith

Haset Mekuria and Sophia Zhao
Feb 1, 2023
Certain music artist's fans protect their favorite creators from backlash. This enables artists to continue their actions.

[Photo] Music’s knight in shining armor

Haset Mekuria, Reporter
Nov 29, 2022
(From left) Sophomore Elijah Johnson and sophomore Matthew Guzman amp up during the "Hype Train." A uniquely Cardinal tradition, "Hype Trains" occur every 3rd quarter during a football game.

Marching to success

Ariana Castañeda, Grace Turney, and Sophia Zhao
Nov 29, 2022
With the most anticipated break of the year, here is how you can improve your mental heath while enjoying Thanksgiving. You will feel refreshed and relaxed by the end of the week.

How to improve mental health over Thanksgiving break

Audrey Han, Grace Turney, and Sophia Zhao
Nov 19, 2022
[ART ESSAY] Life at school

[ART ESSAY] Life at school

Helen Beebe, Angel Harper, Marina Martinez, Ella Sotiriades, Emily Vaughan, Johanna Wen, and Sophia Zhao
Nov 14, 2022
Senior Maysa Busaidy is accompanied by her parents after performing during halftime. She plans to attend Southwestern University in the fall.

[NEWS BRIEF] Belles senior night: The final dance

Haset Mekuria and Sophia Zhao
Nov 10, 2022
Newly appointed principal, Michael Niggli, dedicates a few minutes after introducing himself to speak with parents. He reiterates his dedication to "transparency and truth."

[NEWS BRIEF] Bellaire meets new principal Michael Niggli

Ariana Castañeda, Emma Xiao, and Sophia Zhao
Nov 7, 2022
To truly get into the Halloween spirit, take a deep dive into the top 5 movies featuring monsters, walking corpses, strange families, and hidden doors. Depicted above is an illustration of seven characters from the movies: "Coraline," "Hotel Transylvania," "The Corpse Bride," "Goosebumps," and "The Addams Family."

Top 5 Halloween movies

Grace Turney and Sophia Zhao
Oct 31, 2022
Two playable races, octolings and inklings, are available to the player to customize and play as during the story-mode and online matches. The inkling on the right is shooting ink from the new weapon called "Tri-Stringer."

[Photo] Splatting away game competition

Johanna Wen, Art Director
Sep 23, 2022
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