The student news site of Portola High School

Portola Pilot

The student news site of Portola High School

Portola Pilot

The student news site of Portola High School

Portola Pilot

Senior Joel Ong engages in hand fighting and wrist control to set up a shot after getting one point from escape.

Wrestling Faces Crushing Defeat against Laguna Hills High

Martin Yoon, Staff Writer | February 7, 2022

Wrestling (3-3) faced a crushing defeat (6-75) to Laguna Hills High in the gym on Jan. 20 after winning against University High. The next match is against Laguna Hills High on Feb. 5; both teams will compete...

Midfielder and sophomore Aaron Sato attempts to block the opponent after a throw-in from Laguna Hills High.

Boys’ Soccer Barely Misses its Goal against Laguna Hills High

Cara Chan and Arnav Chandan | February 2, 2022

Boys’ soccer (6-7-3) lost 0-1 against Laguna Hills High on Jan. 19 in the stadium. The match was its seventh league game, making the team fifth in the Pacific Coast League overall. Their next game...

It’s Time to Throw Out the Rotten Tomatoes

It’s Time to Throw Out the Rotten Tomatoes

Tyler Kim and Tara Vatandoust | January 25, 2022

It shines at the end of nearly every critically-acclaimed movie trailer. You can spot it on the posters of movies on your watchlist, sticking out like a sore thumb, surrounded by film awards and nominations....

Rams fans cheer in SoFi Stadium after their team scores a touchdown against the Cardinals on Jan. 17 in the wild-card round. The Rams won the game with a score of 34-11 and will face the Buccaneers in Tampa Bay on Jan. 23 in the divisional round.  Senior Maanas Kollegal, who is a Rams season ticket holder, attended the game with his family.

L.A. Rams, Packers, Chiefs, Buccaneers and More Set to Square Off in NFL Divisional Round Playoffs

Aadi Mehta, Staff Writer | January 21, 2022

The playoff picture has been set with week 18 wrapping up the 2021 NFL regular season. 12 out of the 14 playoff teams competed in Wild-Card Weekend from Jan. 15-17, and two out of the six winners will...

Health assistant Mike Byer organizes student files at the health office. On their fifth day of quarantine, students can take a rapid COVID-19 test. If the results are negative, they may return in-person the next school day; however, if the results are positive, they must stay home the full duration of their 14-day quarantine, according to school nurse James Matejcek.

‘Will IUSD Close Schools? Will Winter Formal be Cancelled?’ – Answering Your COVID-19 Questions

Ryne Dunman and Kayla Moshayedi | January 19, 2022

Portola High reported 77 current confirmed cases of COVID-19 in students and 18 current confirmed cases in staff members on Jan. 12, according to the IUSD COVID-19 dashboard. Principal John Pehrson and...

Delegates from Portola High’s DECA chapter don their various medals after concluding the awards ceremony. “All of us were finalists, not everyone got awards but we all got a little pin that we got to put on,” Janolkar said. “I was very proud of Portola because a lot of us didnt know what we were getting into and I think Portola did really good.”

All Portola High Student Enterprisers Place as Finalists at DECA Conference For First Time in School History

Tyler Kim, Staff Writer | January 13, 2022

All 15 competing Portola High student delegates placed as finalists at the in-person 2022 SoCal District Career Development Conference on Jan. 8. California Distributive Education Clubs of America...

Betty White attends the red carpet ceremony at the 40th Primetime Emmy Awards in 1988. White won several Primetime Emmy awards as an actress, some of which were for “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” (1975, 1976) and “The Golden Girls” (1986).

Idolized Actress and ‘Golden Girl’ Betty White Dead at 99

Aadi Mehta, Staff Writer | January 13, 2022

She was wholesome, lively, sweet, generous and most of all golden. Her presence was uplifting and charming, and her heart was always filled with passion and good character. The woman who transformed television...

On a trip back to Ohio in 2021, sophomore Rory Miller hugs her best friend Ursuline Academy sophomore Gwenny Hesketh, who she has not seen in over six months. Miller had attended Ursuline Academy while living in Ohio.

Sophomore Rory Miller ‘Globetrots’ Around the World

Kayleen Kim, Staff Writer | January 12, 2022

Sophomore Rory Miller is always on the move – and not just between classrooms.  Miller has moved a total of four times internationally. She was born in Terneuzen, Netherlands in 2006; migrated to...

With the return of many Sony franchise villains such as Green Goblin, Electro and Dr. Otto Octavius, it was difficult to understand the role that many of them played. Only a select few played a major position, while others such as the Lizard were present for the sole purpose of fan service. Condensing the movie to a select villain with a strong motive would be a better decision for the overall plot.

‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ is a Tangled Web of Nostalgia

Dheeksha Bhima Reddy and Cara Chan | January 11, 2022

The following review contains spoilers.  “If you expect disappointment, then you can never really be disappointed.” This motto is repeated throughout the movie by Michelle Jones-Watson (Zendaya);...

Creating a more LGBTQ+ inclusive environment can be as simple as using someone’s preferred pronouns, avoiding the use of derogatory language or refraining from referring to someone by their deadname. “You could educate yourself. It doesnt have to be full-on like research, but just being aware,” a sophomore who would like to remain anonymous said.

Homophobia Is Not Making Anyone Less Gay

Shaina Taebi and Tara Vatandoust | January 11, 2022

“That’s so gay.” It is a phrase thrown around in daily conversations – yet it carries a meaning far more belittling for LGBTQ+ individuals. This phrase is just one example of the homophobia many...

The Roller Hockey Club competed for the first time on Oct. 24 at The Rinks Irvine Inline against Edison High School.

Inline to Outpace the Competition

Charlotte Cao and Lauren Hsu | January 11, 2022

Gliding. From an outsider’s perspective, that is what roller hockey players do as they dash across the rink, hockey sticks scrabbling against each other. This year, freshman Wyly Chen and juniors...

Jeanne Jelnick, a retired teacher and beloved member of the Portola High community, reminisces on her time at Portola High while shifting focus to writing and theatre.

Momma J: Where is She Now?

Zara Shirwany and Michelle Kim | January 7, 2022

Jeanne Jelnick, affectionately known as “Momma J,” retired in July 2020 after teaching literature at Portola High since its inaugural year, as well as briefly leading the theatre department. While...

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