![Irvine High Junior Ali Ezzeldine, sophomore Maria Hajjar, junior Dania Yamani, Beckman High senior Jude Tahrawi and Northwood High senior Raya Abutarif give their opening remarks after the Dua. Hajjar introduced this yearâs theme: Patience and Resilience Through Hardship. âWe were trying to look for something that is very much needed [and] that would relate to everyone,â Hajjar said.](https://portolapilot.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/EditedCopy-of-IMG_8834-1.jpg)
![Freshman Carson Bagley rides over a bridge on a trail in Crystal Cove. While competing in races against numerous skilled riders, Bagley often feels the pressure to perform well. âIt's hard to keep focused when you're racing with all the adrenaline and nerves,â Bagley said. â[The adrenaline] is just a feeling you want to go away because it gets you so nervous, but you can't really get it to go away with all the noise and all the people around you.â](https://portolapilot.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/carson.jpg)
![Irvine High Junior Ali Ezzeldine, sophomore Maria Hajjar, junior Dania Yamani, Beckman High senior Jude Tahrawi and Northwood High senior Raya Abutarif give their opening remarks after the Dua. Hajjar introduced this yearâs theme: Patience and Resilience Through Hardship. âWe were trying to look for something that is very much needed [and] that would relate to everyone,â Hajjar said.](https://portolapilot.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/EditedCopy-of-IMG_8834-1-1200x800.jpg)
![Team member and sophomore Melody Bao, alternate and junior Sandy Shanmuga-Nathan, co-captain and junior Kayley Winata, co-captain and junior Suhrith Muvvala, team member and junior Rishabh Garg and advisor and physics teacher Leanne Jimenez pose with the JPL sign at NASAâs Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) after the competition. â[Science Bowl] is a really fun way to apply knowledge because you donât get game-show style application of knowledge in school,â Muvvala said. âSo itâs, one, for the fun, and, two, because I already have to study for Science Olympiad or Biology Olympiad.â](https://portolapilot.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/IMG_8535Edited___-1200x900.jpg)
In this episode of the Portola Pioneer, host Stephanie Hwang explores the childhood shows of staff members and students at Portola High. Music...
- March 27Together in Faith: Muslim Student Association Celebrates Resilience at Annual Iftar
- March 12Science Bowl âBuzzesâ Into Fourth Place at Regional Competition
- February 28Knotts Berry farm Celebrates the 75th Birthday of Snoopy and the Gang
- February 18Chinese Parent Group Hosts Annual Staff Lunch Celebrating Lunar New Year
- January 31Youth Advisory Council Helps With Accreditation Efforts
![Science rolling chairs negatively affect student learning by creating distractions, according to chemistry student and sophomore Sayed Adil. âEvery time I get up and sit down, it moves around,â Adil said. âIt's distracting in class whenever we're finished with [a] test. Some people just fidget around with it and make some noises.â](https://portolapilot.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/FINAL-Science-Rolling-Chairs-1200x900.png)
