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
Pop performance group Calico, a part of Club II-V-I, waits until their time to run onto stage during pop performance group STRIKETHROUGH’s set. The two groups performed the rest of the set together, hyping up the audience with the upbeat nature of their songs.

Spring Festival Porchella Unveils Melodies in Motion

Nina Krish and Elise Ngo | May 24, 2024

Local community colleges, including Irvine Valley College and Saddleback College, as well as the University of California system, use Canvas as their primary learning management system. Thus, in order to prepare students for higher education, Canvas should be implemented early on in students’ careers.

Full-Fledged Learning Management Systems Benefit Everyone: Why Canvas Triumphs Google Classroom

Michael Sun and Maitri Allani | May 22, 2024

At Portola High, Google Classroom and Canvas are the two main learning management systems (LMS) students use to submit assignments, look over course agendas and access other important resources essential...

As time progresses, the spotlight on mental health intensifies, illuminating the pervasive stigma that continues to cause difficulties for those in need. It's time to rewrite this narrative, to embrace empathy over stigma and to create a community where mental well-being is a shared priority.

It’s Time to Destigmatize the Meaning of Mental Health

Sky Nguyen and Elizabeth Gao | May 21, 2024

In today’s fast-paced world, there is growing recognition of the impact that mental health has on our overall well-being. Although, despite the prevalence there continues to be a stigma that surrounds...

Softball poses together after their senior night game, getting ready to eat out together per tradition. “I’m going to miss the people,” outfielder and senior Smira Sonthalia said. “I really love my teammates, and the only reason why I love softball so much is really because of the people that I'm with every day, so I'm really going to miss that team energy and that family. My second family, basically.”

Close-knit Softball Athletes ‘Team’ Together with Friendship

Stephanie Hwang and Mary Lee | May 20, 2024

Though most athletes form close bonds through practices and games, softball bats bonding experiences out of the park. Their infectious, positive energy not only comes from their on-the-field teamwork but...

Senior Jesper Nguyen jams out on his melodica as Jazz I’s marching band line slowly unravels in front of the amphitheater. “Our current jazz pianist, Jesper Nguyen, is really good,” pianist and sophomore Neo Tian said. “I feel like I have to honor him by stepping up to his expectations and filling his shoes next year.”

Turning Back Time: Annual Jazz Night Concert Rewinds Back to Improvisational Roots

Claire Liu, Staff Writer | May 17, 2024

Lawn chairs, shrimp gumbo and picnic blankets are strewn across the amphitheater as hanging lights pulse over a band in perfect unison. The inflatable dome sways as each musician takes turns improvising...

Parent volunteers from the Portola High Indian Parent Group serve traditional dishes to staff members Julie Primero and student teacher Cole Kong. “I was very thankful to my community and the kids who participated for this event, because it's because of them that staff and teachers were feeling appreciated,” luncheon co-organizer and Portola High Indian Parent Group member Dolly Malani said. “They felt that lively spirit around them, so for me, when they are happy, that means our event is going good. I'm grateful for what they do for students at school.”

Spooning Food, Activities and Gratitude: Students and Parents Celebrate Staff Appreciation Week

Marianne Chan and Mary Lee | May 10, 2024

Staff Appreciation Week was held from April 29 to May 3. For the occasion, ASB prepared snacks for teachers while parents provided free lunches for staff throughout the week, according to ASB Communications...

To add the final component of her look for prom, senior Rithu Madhyanam carefully applies lipstick while looking in the mirror.

Getting the Party Started Before Prom: Activities Bulldogs Planned Prior to the Dance

Kayley Winata and Kelly Yeh | May 9, 2024

Senior Ernest Lin takes on one of the hardest routes the indoor rock climbing gym Sender One Climbing has to offer, which is where he often spends his free time to build strength and resilience.

Senior Ernest Lin Conquers Heights One Climb at a Time

Elise Ngo and Madeline Chung | May 8, 2024

On campus, students are constantly encouraged by teachers to push their limits in pursuit of academic success. But senior Ernest Lin takes scaling heights beyond the classroom through rock climbing, challenging...

The banner of the village and the Seven Samurai, which serves as a symbol of hope for the protagonists.

Seven Samurai: A Japanese Classic 70 Years On

Jordan Hata, Staff Writer | May 6, 2024

It is undeniable that Japanese culture has had an influence on the rest of the world through anime, film, television, customs and more. Out of all of them though, one film stands out in particular: “Seven...

Senior Yunxin Tao and sophomore Aditya Nair manufacture t-shirts for Portola Printing, Portola High's first ever business. “Sometimes after school, we have a little party with about five to 10 students, heat pressing and folding and quality checking,” business teacher Katherine Dillon. “The next day, we count the orders and make sure we have all the right sizes, all the right numbers [to] make sure they're all good and then we just go deliver it to the classrooms.”

‘Pressing’ On: Portola Printing Makes Progress In Business Goals

Marianne Chan and Alice Ahn | May 6, 2024

As detailed by the Portola Pilot at the start of this school year, students in Portola High’s Small Business Management class formed Portola Printing, the school’s first T-shirt business. As the year...

Boys’ lacrosse huddles after the first quarter as the coaches briefly run through the plays of the game. “Let’s do the best we can because for some of us this is the last time we’ll ever play,” head coach Michael Harriger said.

Boys’ Lacrosse Raises Valiant Fight Against Woodbridge High During Final Game

Claire Liu, Staff Writer | May 3, 2024

Boys’ lacrosse (4-14) lost to Woodbridge High 2-18 in an away game on April 24. Despite the loss, their spirits ran strong as the team finished the season and focused on building off a hard-won 8-6...

Junior Luke Porter and senior Mathias Lee committed to the Naval Academy, and junior Abby Miller committed to the Air Force Academy to pursue their passions and desire to serve their country. “I'm honestly super excited to work in the military after graduating,” Miller said. “I know that might be a weird thing to say, but that is something that kind of drew me to the military academies: it’s knowing that after I graduate, I have a job for at least five years. I honestly think that jobs in the military are just so incredible, and they're so honorable. I don't really want an office job and being in the military is definitely kind of a way to find a job with a larger purpose.”

Answering the Call to Command: Meet Three Military Academy Commits

Hannah Ko and Maya Tedini | May 3, 2024

In a convergence of athleticism, patriotism and leadership, a trio embarks on a journey as they commit to prestigious military academies. Junior Luke Porter and senior Mathias Lee committed to the United...

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