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Six students share what they received from friends and family for the 2020 holiday season. Even with the stress of the pandemic and final exams, these presents added joy and relaxation to the students’ lives.
Physical education equipment custodian Noe Belmudez cleans the sinks in one of the restrooms during second period with a special disinfectant. During each period, the custodial staff must clean every restroom on campus, as well as any other area classified as a high touch point.
After going viral on TikTok and other social media platforms, teens all around the world are watching Megan Is Missing, a horror/thriller movie all about a teenager going missing after meeting a fake person online.
Drawn by AP Studio Art: Drawing student and senior Natalie Yu, this piece is titled “Smile! You’re on Camera,” which is the phrase that Yu explores in her art. Through her use of inverted images and a self-portrait, Yu captures the message that being on camera is something she fears rather than smiles for.
Gov. Newsom announced that California residents can now opt in for COVID-19 exposure notifications through the app “CA Notify.” According to Newsom, the app does not track location and is designed to help slow the transmission of COVID-19.
Newsom Issues New Lock-down Order
Aryan Mittal and Erin Choi
December 18, 2020
Though the many movements that comprise social justice represent the struggles of different groups, their ultimate goal of universal equality shapes them into an indivisible whole. This phenomenon, formally dubbed ‘intersectionality’, is a key factor to consider for clubs at Portola High striving for change.
Clubs Create Intersection of Social Initiatives
Justin Tang
December 17, 2020
Destiny, the online library catalog, shut down due to the lack of internet connection, putting a halt to the book check-out and return system.
A Day without Internet at Portola High
The Portola Pilot Staff
December 16, 2020
Shalonda Abubakar, the newest addition to IUSD’s community liaison team, is a resource for anyone in the Black and African-American community. She believes a positive mindset can hear everyone for success.
Shalonda Abubakar Joins IUSD as Community Liaison for Black and African-American Families
Emma Haag, Ariana Wu, and Michelle Kim
December 11, 2020
Trending Stories
Destiny, the online library catalog, shut down due to the lack of internet connection, putting a halt to the book check-out and return system.

A Day without Internet at Portola High

Students who choose not to prepare for standardized tests may face heightened pressure to take the tests in their senior year, especially if colleges opt for a test-mandatory policy following this admissions cycle.

Colleges Are Going Test-Optional, but Students Need To Play It Safe

All potential COVID-19 vaccine contenders must pass three phases of clinical trial before being submitted for approval to the FDA and CDC. Out of eight companies in the United States receiving government funding and dozens more worldwide, Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca have emerged in recent weeks with a successful vaccine through all three phases.

Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca Reach COVID-19 Vaccine Breakthroughs

In addition to the typical music production and songwriting, BTS has chosen to take part in the concept development, visual design, set curation, photographs and video direction of this album, according to Rolling Stone, to thoroughly reflect their emotions during unusual times.

BTS Album Shows That ‘Life Goes On’ Despite Pandemic

As the first virtual production at Portola High, this year's fall play was filmed on Zoom instead of performed live. To accomodate for not being able to shoot in-person, all members used green screens to create the effect that they were in the same setting.

Theater Remains Resilient While Unexpected Circumstances Postpone Fall Play

Gov. Newsom announced that California residents can now opt in for COVID-19 exposure notifications through the app “CA Notify.” According to Newsom, the app does not track location and is designed to help slow the transmission of COVID-19.

Newsom Issues New Lock-down Order

The model minority myth hurts both Asian Americans and other minorities, which can further perpetuate racism against Asian Americans and racism against underprivileged minority groups, downplaying the chances of other minorities to pursue an acceptable societal status and creating a rigid set of regulations of how an Asian must act in the community.
Looking for a means to support their families by driving to school themselves, student drivers must grapple with whether the stress alleviated with a parking permit is worth its $40 per semester cost. Despite this, it is important to keep in mind that lowering the price of a parking permit would raise more serious concerns from a campus perspective than it would resolve.
The scope of activism becomes limited when ideas are recycled, shutting off avenues to conflicting beliefs.
Students who choose not to prepare for standardized tests may face heightened pressure to take the tests in their senior year, especially if colleges opt for a test-mandatory policy following this admissions cycle.
Pictured here preparing to move the ball forward, varsity water polo player Andrew Cherry often sets himself to hours of athletic practice each day. An integral part of each junior varsity game in last year
Junior Andrew Cherry Eggbeaters Up to Occasion in Quest for Self-Improvement
December 18, 2020
At socially-distanced wrestling practices, very few new freshmen join returning upperclassmen at daily after-school practice. New wrestlers have time to communicate and ask both athletic-and academic-related questions to their team as they wrestle against social distancing guidelines.
Freshmen Wrestle with Pandemic Setbacks
December 15, 2020
Due to Covid-19 safety guidelines, Portola locker rooms remain closed until case numbers fall. The closure has caused concerns for some students, while others do not mind.
Locker Rooms Remain Closed Due to COVID-19
December 9, 2020
Art, Student Expression and Connection: What Inspires You?
Art, Student Expression and Connection: What Inspires You?
November 5, 2020
Mental Health, an Underlying Epidemic: What Brings You Hope?
Mental Health, an Underlying Epidemic: What Brings You Hope?
October 1, 2020
The Iris Episode 2: The Reign of King COVID the 19th
The Iris Episode 2: The Reign of King COVID the 19th
May 28, 2020
Steve Lacy has exhibited his talent in producing songs for artists such as Kendrick Lamar and Denzel Curry in songs such as “PRIDE” and “If Tomorrow
The Highs and the Lows of ‘The Lo-Fis’
January 8, 2021
Hours before the album’s release, Swift took to Instagram on Dec. 11 to post promotional pictures for “willow,” the lead single off her surprise album “evermore.” Just five months after the release of her previous album, “folklore,” Swift treats fans to a similarly-styled journey in her second surprise drop of 2020.
Taylor Swift’s Genre-Defying Skill Lasts ‘evermore’
January 4, 2021
Released on Nov. 27, Cyrus’ seventh album “Plastic Hearts” has climbed to the number one spot on the Billboard Top Rock Albums chart.
Miley Cyrus’ New Genre-Bending Album Rocks the Music Industry
December 15, 2020
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The student news site of Portola High School
The student news site of Portola High School