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
News
Over fall break, the members of the City of Irvine High School Youth Action Team hosted the annual YATsgiving event at Heritage Park Community Center on Nov. 30, highlighting the spirit of giving during the holiday season. At the event, 130 students from high schools all across IUSD joined together to enjoy a free pancake breakfast, socialize and participate in hands-on volunteer projects.
Flipping for a Cause: Youth Action Team’s YATsgiving Serves Pancakes and Community Spirit
Annie Xiao, Staff Writer | December 6, 2024
Freshmen fill out a study planner, one of Link Crew’s resources for finals week and a new activity implemented this year. “Definitely, there were some challenges during this event, but overall, it was pretty successful,” Link Crew board member and senior Drake DePasquale said. “I'm proud that we were able to inform a lot of freshmen about how finals week happens and how they can prepare.”
Mugs and Motivation: Freshmen Warm Up to Finals with Hot Chocolate at Link Crew Study Party
Mia Jong and Senna Kahf | November 22, 2024
Counselors at Portola High School held a council meeting involving parents, counselors around IUSD and students to discuss taking school data and inputting in to obtain the ASCA credential.
Raising the Bar: Counseling Aims for Better with ASCA Certification
Moer Koey, Staff Writer | November 22, 2024
Dressed up as babies, the counseling department poses for a picture at their table beside their plates of food, ready to enjoy their chili and sides of cornbread and stuffed potatoes.
Staff Goes ‘Bone-Appetit’ at Annual Chili Cook-off
Annie Xiao and Suhana Kaur | November 12, 2024
People of Portola High
Peer tutoring adviser and math teacher Ran Gu supervises the program in the Learning Commons. “It is very interesting to see how students interact with other students,” Gu said. You're rarely ever put into a position where you have to explain something. As a teacher myself, I found that I learned a lot in trying to teach someone else, and I enjoy coaching students how to teach other students.”
Cultivating Collaboration: The Teachers Behind Portola’s Peer Tutoring Program
Kayley Winata and Dania Yamani | December 16, 2024
During her English Language Development class, social studies teacher Taryn Sorrentino walks around the room, assisting students during work time. As an AP instructor, she emphasizes the importance of time management. “The first couple of weeks of school, it comes as a shock to students how much they are required to read and how much time it's going to take to really master the content of this course,” Sorrentino said. “The biggest skill I hope to teach students is just how to manage their time and also being mindful of all the things that they sign up for.”
Meet Portola High’s New AP Human Geography Teacher
Zoha Syed and Kelly Yeh | December 12, 2024
Board members of the Better2Thrift club pose for the camera at their first meeting. “We’re going to be donating 60% of our profit to charities and environmental causes,” vice president and junior Farouk Merzougui said. “I think that’s a big part. When you have a club, you really need to put some change in the community.”
Secondhand Style, Winning Impact: Inside the Better2Thrift Club on Campus
Suhana Kaur and Annie Xiao | December 5, 2024
Dance director Samantha Gardner, math teacher Melanie Clarke and social studies teacher James Ferrel celebrate Thanksgiving by creating heartwarming fall traditions with their families every year. In the midst of the holiday season, teachers highlight the importance of gratitude, connection and celebration.
‘Stuffed’ With Gratitude: How Three Teachers Celebrated Fall Break
Alice Ahn and Annie Xiao | December 4, 2024
Decorative Background
Features
Peer tutoring adviser and math teacher Ran Gu supervises the program in the Learning Commons. “It is very interesting to see how students interact with other students,” Gu said. You're rarely ever put into a position where you have to explain something. As a teacher myself, I found that I learned a lot in trying to teach someone else, and I enjoy coaching students how to teach other students.”
Cultivating Collaboration: The Teachers Behind Portola’s Peer Tutoring Program
Kayley Winata and Dania Yamani | December 16, 2024
During her English Language Development class, social studies teacher Taryn Sorrentino walks around the room, assisting students during work time. As an AP instructor, she emphasizes the importance of time management. “The first couple of weeks of school, it comes as a shock to students how much they are required to read and how much time it's going to take to really master the content of this course,” Sorrentino said. “The biggest skill I hope to teach students is just how to manage their time and also being mindful of all the things that they sign up for.”
Meet Portola High’s New AP Human Geography Teacher
Zoha Syed and Kelly Yeh | December 12, 2024
Arts & Entertainment
Student-led acapella group Portobellas delivers a captivating performance of "The Rainbow Connection" by Paul Williams. Portola Singer, Portobella director and senior Sara Haidar, said that their repertoire was highly advanced, demanding both precision and harmony. She said she has formed strong bonds with her fellow choir members over the years. "Choir is such a community," she said. "I guess what I'll miss the most is just being with such a cool group of people, getting to work with people that you probably would never work with otherwise."
Choir’s ‘Spellbinding’ Performance Sells Out the Spirit of the Season Concert, Turning Fans Away for the First Time
Zoha Syed, Staff Writer | December 19, 2024
“Moana 2” rehashes the original film in an uncreative way, falling flat in plot structure and storytelling despite captivating visuals and upbeat songs. Unlike the original “Moana” (2016), the sequel included songs that were eerily similar to the first and shallow new characters that fail to entertain.
“Moana 2” Is a Sequel that’s Lost at Sea
Siri Kolanupaka and Sruti Allani | December 9, 2024
“Arcane: League of Legends” Falls Short of Perfect in Season Two
“Arcane: League of Legends” Falls Short of Perfect in Season Two
Catherine Li, Front Page Editor | December 6, 2024
Opinion
Science rolling chairs negatively affect student learning by creating distractions, according to chemistry student and sophomore Sayed Adil. “Every time I get up and sit down, it moves around,” Adil said. “It's distracting in class whenever we're finished with [a] test. Some people just fidget around with it and make some noises.”
‘Rolling’ into Frustration: Science Classrooms Should Replace Rolling Chairs
Sonia Wang and Senna Kahf | November 18, 2024
California Proposition 2 and 32 are heavily impactful to students both short-term and in the long-run. If passed, these propositions could negatively increase Californians’ tax debts but positively increase minimum wage.
The Pros and Cons of California Proposition 32 and 2
Nicole Lu and Moer Koey | November 5, 2024
As global events continue to unfold, students need to stay informed with facts and be vigilant in guarding against misinformation. “Whatever is happening in Ukraine or in Gaza has an immediate impact on our lives, and it is incredibly important to stay aware about what is going on in the outside world if we want to make a positive change,” Girnita said. “You want to be able to stay informed and contribute to your community in any way you can because the reality is we are not the leaders of tomorrow, we are the leaders of today.”
Students Should Stay Aware of Global Conflicts and Be Wary of Misinformation
Aditi Salunkhe and Moer Koey | October 30, 2024
Offshore wind energy is a key example of the complexities of renewable energy sources. The public should interpret the word “renewable” with caveats as there are many side effects, both positive and negative, along with a lack of information surrounding the newer technologies that fall under this category.
Renewable Energy Sources Are Not As Straightforward As You May Think
Mary Lee, Assistant A&E Editor | October 28, 2024
Sports
Point guard and junior Lucas Ip fights to score a basket between two defenders. “I think one of our strengths is shooting,” Ip said. “We have a lot of good 3-point shooters, and then we have a lot of players that are able to drive and facilitate the offense, which allows us to get these 3-pointers.”
Boys’ Basketball Faces Loss in Close Game Against El Toro High
Maya Tedini and Hannah Ko | December 19, 2024
Point guard and junior Maddy Nguyen, combo guard and freshman Yuri Ha and shooting guard and sophomore Kelcie Fan kicked off the new girls’ basketball season together. “I love this team because there’s just more chemistry,” Nguyen said. “Just being able to play with them is just a great opportunity for me to be happy, have fun and enjoy my junior year.”
Here are Some Players to Watch Out For as Girls’ Basketball ‘Shoots’ into the New Season
Catherine Li and Kailyn Clark | December 18, 2024
Issues
November 2024: Volume 9 Issue 2
November 2024: Volume 9 Issue 2

 

October 2024: Volume 9 Issue 1
October 2024: Volume 9 Issue 1

 

May 2024: Volume 8 Issue 7
May 2024: Volume 8 Issue 7

 

April 2024: Volume 8 Issue 6
April 2024: Volume 8 Issue 6

 

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The student news site of Portola High School
The student news site of Portola High School