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
Reviews
Three years after its initial release in 2021, “Squid Game” debuted its second season on Dec. 26, breaking Netflix records with 68 million views in its premiere week, according to Forbes.
‘Squid Game’ Season 2 Builds Anticipation for the Next Installment
January 9, 2025
“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
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
December 6, 2024
“Wicked,” a cinematic adaptation of the original musical, follows the story of Elphaba the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch as they explore their magical powers at Shiz University in the whimsical Land of Oz.
‘Wicked’ Movie Adaptation Leaves Audiences Spellbound by its Magic
December 6, 2024
Country musician Dolly Parton’s “Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith and Fables” album retells family stories and Appalachian tales.
Tap Into Dolly Parton’s Newest Studio Album “Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith and Fables”
December 2, 2024
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Student Art
2025 In 25 Words
2025 In 25 Words
January 14, 2025
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
December 19, 2024
Dance 4's dazzling dance to the song “All That Jazz” from “Chicago the Musical,” choreographed by dance director Samantha Gardner, uses chairs as props to emphasize the different shapes and lines that naturally exist in motion. The ambient lighting and orange background contrast with the dancers' dark clothing, emphasizing the impact of their movements.
Student Dancers and Pop Musicians ‘Shimmer’ at the Fall Dance Concert
December 5, 2024
Link Crew leaders and juniors Chloe Urianton, Sarrinah Inamdar, Saanvi Gangireddy, Chloe Grace Chen, Kenneth Althaqeb and Chloe Im host a Halloween costume party for freshmen. “Among assignments and tests, school has been a lot during junior year,” Urianton said. “I thought Halloween would be a good break amidst all these academic activities. Besides, I wanted to give an impression on the freshmen that high school isn't all just about academics, but also a way to connect with people and find joy through interacting with the community.”
‘Spirits’ Are High With Bulldogs’ Boo-tiful Halloween Costumes
November 8, 2024
Portola High’s marching band and color guard performed in a competition at Capistrano Valley High School on Oct. 26. Marching band competitions are generally full day commitments from the students and the teachers, according to drum major and junior Noa Stewart.
Pride of Portola Takes the Stage
November 7, 2024
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Arts & Entertainment
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
November 21, 2024
Each year, families and friends gather to give thanks over a grand feast filled with a variety of side dishes that fill their bellies. Together, these sides bring all the flavor to this holiday.
The Best Side Dishes of a Thanksgiving Feast
November 21, 2024
Similarly to millions of people across the globe, sophomores Hiba Laique and Coco Marshall find enjoyment in slang found on the internet. On social media and the internet, roughly 89% of Americans find themselves learning slang from these sources, according to Preply.
Unpacking a New Wave of Internet Lingo
November 14, 2024
Wendy’s released the limited edition Krabby Patty meal on Oct. 8.
Disappointing View: Wendy’s Krabby Patty Meal Misses the Mark
November 4, 2024
Senior Hau Le takes the lead as the students featured in the fall play ‘Puffs’ introduce themselves while clad in yellow costumes, configured by Tech Theatre. “Closing night, the audience was fantastic. I remember the end scene, the battle scene, people were screaming, people were laughing,” Sally Perks and sophomore Coco Marshall said.
Portola High Fall Play “Puffs”: A Silly Spin On the Story of Hufflepuffs at Hogwarts Charms Audience
October 24, 2024
Student Teacher David Pulanco leads the treble and bass choir through warmups at the beginning of class. “Probably my favorite thing about the students at Portola is how dedicated they are to the program,” Pulanco said. “They really love working for the music. They really love working hard to get the music done. It's a passion that I don't see a lot of in students.”
A Rising Voice: Student Teacher David Pulanco’s Journey to Portola High
October 23, 2024
Vocalist of Crocs ‘N’ Socks and junior Suah Yang bundles up in a cardigan and black sunglasses for the cozy “Sweater Weather” by The Neighbourhood. “I’ve loved to sing since I was a little kid,” Yang said. “I’ve been doing choir for a long time, but last year Mr. Traska was like, ‘oh why don’t you do studio music,’ because I love to perform pop songs, and with a band. Performing it gives me joy because expressing my feelings through music is really fun.”
A Showdown for the Ages: Student Bands Rock the Stage
October 15, 2024
From homemade pastries to specialty lattes, these cafe menu items make for the best study treat! Along with their tasty options, many of these cafes offer a wide array of accommodations, including seating, wifi and calming music, to couple with your study experience.
Get Your Mind ‘Brewing’ With These Study Cafes!
October 10, 2024
Boba’s rising popularity makes it a favorite drink for many, and new shops are opening regularly. In this review, we will be exploring two of the latest arrivals: 3Cat and Macu Tea.
Exploring New Boba Shops: A Blend of Atmosphere and Taste
October 4, 2024
Wingstop’s new Sweet BBQ Blaze flavor, released just in time for football season, offers a smoky, tangy twist on classic barbecue wings. Portola High students flock to try the latest addition, savoring its bold, rich sweetness with every bite.
Wingstop Kicks Off NFL Football Season with New Sweet BBQ Blaze Flavor
October 3, 2024
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Arts & Entertainment