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
Nine days before the release of her album, “So Close To What,” Tate McRae put her tracklist out on Instagram, posing next to a Hollywood star. The record is McRae’s first to reach No. 1 on Billboard 200.
Tate McRae’s “So Close To What” Makes Records on Charts
March 7, 2025
Taste Testing Around The World: Trying International Snacks
Taste Testing Around The World: Trying International Snacks
March 5, 2025
Starbucks released a seasonal menu including three new Valentine’s Day themed drinks and two desserts on Feb 4.
Starbucks’ Valentine’s Day Menu Brings Vibrant Flavors to Life Through Drinks and Desserts
February 21, 2025
The Weeknd achieved his fifth No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart through “Hurry Up Tomorrow” on Feb 15. Introducing a diverse range of collaborations and a strong narrative, the album does not disappoint fans and listeners.
‘Hurry Up’ and Listen to The Weeknd’s New Album
February 12, 2025
As the festival season rolls around, good mooncakes are imperative to having a successful lunar holiday.
‘Fly Me to the Moon’ with these Lunar New Year Mooncakes
February 7, 2025
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Student Art
Color guard member and freshman Leia Speir performs during the flag feature, a piece of the show in which flag line members twirl their flags and dance in synchronization. Speir said that prior to each competition, the team has to go through a long process of hair, makeup and final practices.
Winter Guard Blazes into New Season with ‘Burn’
March 10, 2025
Senior Ana Girnita and freshman Sonja Rajkovic represent the Eastern European and Balkan Heritage Club during the cultural club fair at lunch. Unlike other cultural clubs, the club covers a vast array of regions, including the Caucuses, Baltic States and central Europe. Members who are close to their Eastern European roots have found a home through the first-year club, inspiring their decision to showcase at Intercultural Week, according to Girnita. “It’s just a great opportunity for students to participate and engage with different cultures,” Girnita said. “The most enriching experiences I’ve had are international programs where I’ve gotten to meet students from all over the world, and I feel like just sharing that part of ourselves allows for a lot of self-expression and also just improves our understanding of the world around us.”
Intercultural Week Showcases the Rich Tapestry of Portola High’s Cultural Community
March 3, 2025
Though Galentine’s Day isn’t a holiday senior Renee Tan usually celebrates, she and her friends decked out in everything girly for an aesthetic Galentine’s party this year. “We baked heart shaped pizzas, baked some cookies and goods too,” Tan said. “Other people brought sugar cookies and cupcakes.”
Gals Over Pals: Bulldogs Celebrate Galentine’s Day
February 28, 2025
Valentine’s Day was an opportunity for students and staff to celebrate all kinds of relationships. “Valentine’s Day is just a fun and easy holiday,” science teacher Michael Tang said, “It’s good for the economy. It’s good for people to go out and spend money on others.”
How Bulldogs Spent Their Valentine’s Day
February 21, 2025
Lead guitarist and junior Ethan Williams and rhythm guitarist and senior Eddie Chen rock the stage in a rendition of the Tran-Siberian Orchestra piece “First Snow,” which is conducted by instrumental music director Desmond Stevens. “Being able to have the rock musicians on stage with the orchestra musicians and having the full wind band on with everyone else puts nearly 100 students on stage together,” Stevens said. “Then [having] that element of all the lighting and effects and the students in the control room running that at the same time really builds [a] larger community.”
A Look Behind the Stage at Portola Proms: The Trans-Siberian Orchestra Experience
February 7, 2025
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Arts & Entertainment
These concert-goers at Portola High thrive in the environment of the bright lights, electrifying energy and the pulse of live music.
Meet Portola High’s Avid Concert Goers and their Views of the Stage
March 18, 2025
Every year on Presidents’ Day, a few celebrated American presidents come to mind: Abraham Lincoln, George Washington and Franklin D. Roosevelt, for example. Yet, despite the differences in every president’s administration, a few things make some especially celebrated. “I think the presidents that stand out as being really important throughout history all have charismatic personalities,” social studies teacher Taryn Sorrentino said. “I think they appeal to large groups of people. I think they portray a willingness to help people and I think they portray a sense of home to the American people, especially during times of hardship or distress.”
A Lookback on Presidents’ Day: Who are Portola High’s Favorite Presidents?
February 28, 2025
Picking at a fast pace, “Heroes of the Homeland” pictures a lively dance reminiscent of youth.“Through using martial arts, it symbolizes defeating the evil spirit before entering the New Year,” said Pan. “So, when the New Year comes, it’s only the good things that will come to the people.”
Chinese Dance Company of Southern California Embodies Chinese Culture in Lunar New Year Concert
February 3, 2025
The Grammy Awards shine bright as artists, producers and industry legends gather to celebrate the year’s best in music. With stunning performances, emotional speeches and shocking wins, the night is sure to be one to remember. Who will take home the coveted Golden Gramophone?
2025 Grammys: Predicting Who Will Dominate Music’s Biggest Night
January 31, 2025
Creating tooth necklaces is a largely personal endeavor for Chang, who prefers to wear her jewelry at school. Besides making necklaces, she said she also plans to make earrings.
‘Bite-Sized’ Beauty: Senior Vivian Chang Fashions Teeth Into Jewelry
January 28, 2025
2025 In 25 Words
2025 In 25 Words
January 14, 2025
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
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
“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 7, 2024
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