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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

Ancestors and juniors Trisha Andrews, Tabitha Bradley and Danaley Silan end the first act on the second story set.

‘The Addams Family’ is ‘Just Around the Corner’

Maryam Shama, Co-Editor-in-Chief | March 7, 2019

The stage is filled with dancers perfecting each step, singers rehearsing songs, actors reciting lines and musicians melodiously harmonizing in preparation for “The Addams Family” production on Mar....

Every week, students work with Jon Resendez to practice pitching and suggesting solutions to lawmakers. The students met with different IUSD board member to hear the different needs of the district.

Four Juniors Head to Sacramento on Behalf of IUSD

Julia Kim, Co-Editor-in-Chief | March 6, 2019

After more than six weeks of researching, writing, discussing and planning, juniors Jason Chen, Nishad Francis, Annika Lai and Maya Sabbaghian and will travel to Sacramento on Mar. 5 with one common goal:...

The cast of the first Lego Movie reprised their roles for “Lego Movie 2: The Second Part,” along with a slew of new characters.

Lego Movie Sequel Builds Up its Creativity

Ali Elmalky, Staff Writer | March 5, 2019

Films are centered in creativity. Animators and filmographers strive to amaze and dazzle their viewers with the most intricate visual displays. This has become a tougher task to achieve as technology has...

(Top) Technical theater students watch a rehearsal from backstage, ready to respond to every cue. (Bottom Left) Students built their own flight of stairs backstage that will be used by singers. (Bottom Right) The prop table holds a variety of objects that will be used throughout the show.

Technical Theater’s Evolution Advances to the Next Stage

Aaron Sha, Business Team | March 4, 2019

Behind every theatrical production is a strong, unrelenting backbone that supports actors and actresses in making the execution of shows and musicals possible. From the precise choreography of every light...

Cramer and Waldner plan on using the grant money to purchase virtual reality equipment in order to support learning in various classes.

IPSF Awards $20,000 Mega Grant for Augmented Reality Initiative

Maya Sabbaghian, Opinion Editor | March 1, 2019

Media technician Amanda Cramer and computer graphics teacher Grace Waldner together applied for and won a $20,000 Mega Innovation Grant which they received on Feb. 25. The grant is funded by Irvine Public...

Aside from the actual patty, the Impossible Burger 2.0 was served with herbed goat cheese, organic mixed greens, grilled red onions, avocados, tomatoes and garlic aioli, all served on a brioche bun.

Meeting the Meatless Burger in Irvine

Junhee Ryu and Benjamin Kim | March 1, 2019

In an age when vegan and vegetarian options are becoming more accessible to customers, the attempt to recreate “meat” solely out of vegetarian products has caught many people’s attention. In...

Irvine Boasts Greatest Tax Surplus in America

Irvine Boasts Greatest Tax Surplus in America

Helena Hu, Centerspread Editor | February 28, 2019

For the third year in a row, Irvine has claimed the title of the financially healthiest city in America, with a “taxpayer surplus” of $4,400 per person, according to the OC Register. Although a decline...

Junior Alene Hata coaches preschoolers at Wildfire Gymnastics Tustin every Saturday from 9:30 until 12:10, patiently introducing children to gymnastics for the first time.

Raising the Bar: Alene Hata’s Gymnastics Career

Aaron Sha, Business Team | February 27, 2019

Soaring through the air, junior Alene Hata traces an invisible path to the next step in her routine and her career. Outside of her everyday academic life, Hata spends her free time following her passion...

According to the health website Health24, glucose is the most widely-distributed sugar in nature, although we rarely eat it in its purified form.

The Sweet Isn’t So Sweet

Giselle Villegas, Staff Writer | February 26, 2019

From candy to bread, sugar is almost impossible to escape. Two months into the new year, one common goal is to cut sugar from diets, as excessive amounts can lead to negative health effects. According...

In 2016, LLA teacher Cale Kavanaugh posted his sets of poems and thoughts on his portfolio website, including his struggle with understanding humanity’s purpose.

LLA Teacher Cale Kavanaugh is Well-Versed in Poetry

Jane Zou, Staff Writer | February 25, 2019

When literary and language arts teacher Cale Kavanaugh finishes teaching syntax, his words flow from his mind to the paper in the form of free verse poetry. Surprisingly, he did not enjoy poetry in high...

Mt. Rainier National Park in Washington was one of the numerous national parks across the country that were neglected due to lack of funding during the government shutdown.

National Parks Damaged During Government Shutdown

Jenny Won, Business Team | February 25, 2019

During the government shutdown that lasted 35 days from Dec. 22 to Jan. 25, national parks were left open but severely understaffed, causing pollution, vandalism and other damages from which it may take...

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