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

Staffed by teachers across the Irvine Unified School District, the Irvine Virtual Academy offers a larger course variety for students to enroll in compared to those traditionally offered at individual schools.

Post-COVID Learning: Irvine Virtual Academy

Ryne Dunman and Jaein Kim | November 19, 2020

Irvine Virtual Academy will become a permanent learning model offered at Irvine Unified (IUSD) schools starting next semester. The IVA administration made this decision after the beneficial impact and...

Many high school students are planning to vote when they are eligible, especially after the recent election.

High Schoolers Voice Goals as Future Voters

Haruka Noda, Social Media Team | November 19, 2020

The election has finally come to an end, and it has created dramatic changes for both the nation and the Irvine community. High school juniors and seniors are especially passionate when it comes to politics...

To make it to the World Series, top divisional winners from the National and American league compete in postseason, which is also called the playoffs. Then, champion teams from each division play each other at the World Series, competing for the World Series champion title. While the Dodgers made it to the playoffs in 2016 and 2017, they have not won the title since 1988 against the Oakland Athletics.

After 32 Long Years, The Dodgers Regain World Series Champions Title

Bia Shok, Features Editor | November 18, 2020

After seven frustrating years of winning only straight division titles, the Los Angeles Dodgers finally made its mark this year as the Major League Baseball World Series champion against the Tampa Bay...

I tend to fill the paper a lot. Instead of just focusing on one main part, I like adding a lot of details and filling up the composition,” senior Grace Hong said.

Senior Grace Hong Sets No Limits for Creativity

Erin Choi, Co-Managing Editor | November 18, 2020

Early in February, senior Grace Hong was distinguished with a Silver Medal in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards for her multimedia piece “Form of Body and Mind.” According to the competition’s...

Despite the pandemic, freshman Vismaya Sista is still celebrating many traditional aspects of Diwali, such as bursting firecrackers and sparklers. Due to COVID-19 regulations, many families are celebrating themselves instead of with larger groups.

The Pandemic Did Not Dim the Lights on Diwali

Dheeksha Bhima Reddy and Naila Talib | November 17, 2020

On a Saturday evening in mid-November, families gather outside in traditional Indian gowns and sarees, bursting fireworks and making sure the kids each get a turn to hold the sparklers. Moms distribute...

At the height of the Silverado Fire, over 70,000 residents from Irvine alone were under evacuation orders. Thankfully, Irvine Unified schools resumed in-person learning the week following the blaze, which was reported 100% contained as of Nov. 7.

Student Athletes Persist in Practice Post-Fire

Lauren Hsu, A&E Editor | November 17, 2020

In yet another unfortunate turn of events, the Silverado Fire swept through both Orange and San Bernardino counties the morning of Oct. 26, causing widespread evacuations throughout the city of Irvine.  One...

Even virtually, students come together to benefit from one other. Students of all grades can peer tutor others, as long as they are excelling in that course subject.

Peer Tutoring Returns Online

Michelle Kim, Business Manager | November 17, 2020

In order to support individuals who are struggling with academics or simply want some extra help, Portola High will reopen its peer tutoring program through Zoom starting Nov. 16.  Students who are...

As a precaution against COVID-19, instrumental music teacher Kyle Traska sprays a series of bucket drums with cleaning solvent after a Wind Ensemble rehearsal. With one assigned to each student, the buckets offer unique flexibility in both maintenance and curriculum.

Two Sticks and a Bucket Lend Musical Opportunities Amid Constraints

Justin Tang, Staff Writer | November 13, 2020

Wind Ensemble students take their seats outside the theater, gathering around instrumental music conductor Kyle Traska. No sound of brass instruments tuning or woodwinds trilling fills today’s air; instead,...

After six months of COVID-19 restrictions caused the failure and bankruptcy of multiple movie theaters, corporations have started to lift shutdowns by showing movies at limited capacity.

Viewers and Experts Weigh Health Risks of Theater Reopenings

Madeleine Young, Staff Writer | November 12, 2020

Movie theater corporations such as Cinemark, Regal and AMC began to reopen their doors in late August following six months of shutdowns due to COVID-19 restrictions and have recently began to show new...

Teacher Shelley Godett and her daughter and math student, Maya Godett, stand together in front of a festive Christmas tree.

Shelley and Maya Godett Have a Parent-Teacher Relationship

Aryan Mittal, Staff Writer | November 12, 2020

Math department chair Shelley Godett and her daughter, Maya Godett, have a unique mother-daughter relationship at Portola High that comes with unexpected effects. Shelley Godett is a math teacher and freshman...

As seniors scramble to make finishing touches on their profiles and submit college applications, this year’s seniors have been burdened with another difficulty: the cancellation of SAT and ACT tests.

Seniors Travel Out of State for Standardized Tests

Grace Baek and Charlotte Cao | November 11, 2020

In California, approximately 224 out of the 316 testing sites were closed for the October SAT due to the COVID-19 pandemic according to Collegeboard, causing students to travel out of state for open testing...

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