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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

Freshman Jake Wang, sophomore Frances Lee, sophomore Marley Willis, junior Miranda Perdomo, sophomore Claire Kim, sophomore Lauren Slade, junior Justin Tokko, junior Blayze Borroto, freshman Bravo Borroto, freshman Carter Lo, junior Kesin Jayakumar and junior Jamie Youn pose for a group photo after the 2025-26 ASB elected positions are announced. “I think ASB constantly asks students to look beyond themselves, to think about the school community, not just their own experience, and what's best for the group or what's fun for the group,” ASB director and social studies teacher Emily Sheridan said.
ASB Election Convention Ramps Up Student Civic Engagement
Marianne Chan, Assistant Opinion Editor | April 14, 2025
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 year’s theme: Patience and Resilience Through Hardship. “We were trying to look for something that is very much needed [and] that would relate to everyone,” Hajjar said.
Together in Faith: Muslim Student Association Celebrates Resilience at Annual Iftar
Suhana Kaur, Staff Writer | March 27, 2025
Senior Ray Tong and special education student and junior Clark Bogosh collaborate on an art project during a Bulldog Crew meeting. “A lot of the activities that the board comes up with have been really well received, and all the students seem to really enjoy doing it,” extensive support needs education specialist Desiree De Santos-Shaffer said. “They really look at the whole picture of what they can do and what people are feeling, and art has been a really big part of what we do as well.”
Building Bridges: How The Bulldog Crew Unites Portola High
Senna Kahf and Dania Yamani | March 12, 2025
Gardening for Good member and junior Kate Shin and junior and co-president Chloe Shin plant succulents together, marking the creation of the club’s first garden. Through activities like these, the club has formed a close and connected atmosphere. “We really care about creating a really inclusive community where every single person in the club is super connected and really interested in gardening,” Chloe Shin said.
Gardening for Good Cultivates Community at Portola High
Kelly Yeh, Assistant News Editor | March 7, 2025
Woodbury Elementary Science Olympiad head coach and freshman Smriti Mishra poses with her Science Olympiad team after the Sierra Vista Invitational where the team placed fifth. “I was inspired by my sister who was a coach at Jeffrey Trail and at Woodbury as well,” Mishra said. “And then I became the coach at Woodbury, so I got inspired by looking up to my peers as well as looking at the older kids around me.”
Medal-Worthy Mentorship: Science Olympiad Students Train the Next Generation
Nina Krish, Sports Editor | March 6, 2025
Torpis decorates a ceramic piece. “Since they've used almost all of the glazes in the classroom, I make test tiles as well for the kids so they know what it looks like,” Torpis said. “I'll show them different pieces I've made or different test tiles I've made, so they can see it and feel it, and they understand what it looks like.”
Class Act: Student TAs Support Classrooms
Marianne Chan and Mary Lee | March 4, 2025
S5 Episode 6: Nostalgic Memories: Favorite Childhood Shows
S5 Episode 6: Nostalgic Memories: Favorite Childhood Shows
Stephanie Hwang, Co-News Editor | March 14, 2025

In this episode of the Portola Pioneer, host Stephanie Hwang explores the childhood shows of staff members and students at Portola High.   Music...

The arrival of the seasonal red patterned cups signifies the arrival of winter, with new designs released yearly. These cups exhibit holiday joy with their red, white and green embellishments that are sure to bring joy to any beverage lover.
Starbucks ‘Steeps’ Up the Holiday Spirit with their Seasonal Treats
Zoha Syed and Kayley Winata | November 21, 2024

Senior Abbey Reichard drives a vintage Ford pickup truck, Betty, named after a family favorite song, “Black Betty” by Ram Jam. Sourcing an old truck was challenging, but Reichard and her family remained determined; they flew to Arizona last summer to test-drive Betty, made the purchase, then drove her back to California. “You think it’d be easier because nobody wants old trucks,” Reichard said. “But we were searching from March all the way to June. Luckily, one of my mom’s friend’s husbands actually sells old cars, so we were able to find this one.”
‘Driven’ by Expression: How Cars Become Students’ Personal Spaces
Alice Ahn, A&E Editor | April 9, 2025
S5 Episode 6: Nostalgic Memories: Favorite Childhood Shows
S5 Episode 6: Nostalgic Memories: Favorite Childhood Shows
Stephanie Hwang, Co-News Editor | March 14, 2025
Students often feel unheard in their school environment, but by taking the Panorama Survey seriously, they can make their voices count and drive meaningful change on campus.
Make Your Mark: Why the Panorama Survey Deserves Student Attention
Alice Ahn and Kelly Yeh | March 17, 2025
Students need to learn a second language in order to reap the positive effects people gain from language learning such as an improved level of cultural awareness and a boost in one’s brain reserves.
More Than Just a Requirement: Why Multilingualism Matters
Nora Aljazzar, Staff Writer | March 10, 2025
Americans are set to purchase about 75 million pounds of chocolate on Valentine's Day 2025, according to Tasting Table. This Valentine’s Day, lovers should opt for a thoughtful and personal way to express their affection rather than relying on pricey, mass-produced gifts.
Don’t Let Cupid Drain Your Wallet This Valentine’s Day, Opt For Meaningful Gifts Instead
Sonia Wang and Aditi Salunkhe | February 14, 2025
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
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. “It's hard to keep focused when you're racing with all the adrenaline and nerves,” Bagley said. “[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.”
Freshman Carson Bagley Takes on Trails with Mountain Biking
Aditi Salunkhe, Co-News Editor | March 25, 2025
Sprinter and junior Taylor Nguyen and sprinters and seniors Hannah Ko and Nahsima Titanji take the lead in the girls’ varsity 100-meter hurdles, placing second, third and sixth, respectively. “We had one school record by Taylor Nguyen for the 300 hurdles, which was awesome for her to do that first race out,” head track and field coach Cale Kavanaugh said. “We had a lot of our kids who opened up with PRs that were pretty significant or they picked up right where they left off last year, which was awesome.”
Track and Field Begins Season on the Right ‘Track’ with Exemplary Performance
Kayley Winata and Zoha Syed | March 19, 2025
March 2025: Volume 9 Issue 5
March 2025: Volume 9 Issue 5

 

January 2025: Volume 9 Issue 4
January 2025: Volume 9 Issue 4

 

December 2024: Volume 9 Issue 3
December 2024: Volume 9 Issue 3

 

November 2024: Volume 9 Issue 2
November 2024: Volume 9 Issue 2

 

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