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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

Northwood and University highs hold their graduations at UCI, and while staff considered this location, it seems to present certain inconveniences, such as cost and the time of the graduation.

Selecting the Venue for Graduation Ceremony

Maya Sabbaghian, Opinion Editor | May 31, 2019

The staff is starting very early stages of planning for Portola High’s first graduation ceremony in June 2020. This process includes selecting a venue, colors for caps and gowns and other logistics that...

Greenwood loves to foster student based learning. In the photo she is helping create discussion about Romeo and Juliet in her freshman class.

Madeline Greenwood Named Department Chair

Dylan Vanek, Co-News Editor | May 31, 2019

With current literary and language arts (LLA) department chair Jeanne Jelnick stepping down at the end of this year it was time for the program to find a new lead. Madeline Greenwood, formerly known by...

Junior Jason Chen and Sophomore Jun Kim stage a fake fight while rehearsing for the pep rally. ASB rehearsed for 2 weeks prior to the rally.

Previewing the Last 2019 Pep Rally

Dylan Gates, Media Director | May 30, 2019

The last pep rally of the 2019 school year is anticipated to be the most engaging and exciting of the year. The rally will feature a variety of games and activities that will boost school spirit going...

The first trailer for “Sonic the Hedgehog” creeped out viewers with uncanny CGI.

‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ Never Quite Takes Off

Ali Elmalky, Staff Writer | May 29, 2019

On April 30, the first official trailer dropped for “Sonic The Hedgehog,” a feature film starring SEGA’s speedy blue star. Sonic is a mascot character beloved by many. Created by SEGA in 1991 as...

It is a tradition for many families to decorate their homes for Ramadan. Decorations include lanterns, lights, signs stating “Happy Ramadan,” and much more.

Finishing off the School Year Fasting

Maryam Shama, Editor-In-Chief | May 28, 2019

Before the crack of dawn on May 6, Muslims worldwide woke up to enjoy an early, protein-filled breakfast in preparation for their first day of fasting during the holy month of Ramadan. Muslims will abstain...

Sophomore Kailyn Pham (left) sings powerfully during one of the Mariner Youth Culture Band’s performances. Pham has been working effortlessly in order to use her music prowess to help better impact her surrounding community.

Taking a More Modern Approach to Religion

Simrat Singh, Sports Editor | May 28, 2019

Sweet but powerful voices fill the stage with uplifting gospel songs as sophomore Kailyn Pham performed in the Mariners Youth Culture Band, a group she has been a part of for almost a year. While Pham...

While “Pokémon: Detective Pikachu” brings countless Pokémon characters to life with modern CGI, the film still leaves audience members with nostalgia for the original Pokémon cartoons.

‘Detective Pikachu’ is Saturday Morning Pokémon Brought to the Big Screen

Nicholas Hung and Benjamin Kim | May 24, 2019

In 1995, Ken Sugimori and Satoshi Tajiri created the fantastic world of Pokémon, and their cute characters quickly spread around the world. Twenty-four years later, “Pokémon: Detective Pikachu,”...

Choi anchors and prepares her shot while practicing for the Cotton Boll Classic, a state outdoor tournament that attracts over 400 archers every year.

Erin Choi Shoots for Success in Archery

Ajinkya Rane and Ki Joon Lee | May 23, 2019

Freshman Erin Choi lifts her carbon coated arrow and loads it into her bow as she eyes the target in front of her. She strenuously pulls back the braided string and rests her hand underneath her chin....

Omomo Tea Shoppe has one of the most aesthetic interiors and instagrammable drinks, but its long lines and average boba aren’t for milk tea connoisseurs.

Searching for the Most Tea-rrific Boba

Julia Kim, Jordan Lee, and Shawyan Rooein | May 21, 2019

Quickly rising to the top of most-wanted desserts, boba has taken Irvine by a storm as a hub for socializing, de-stressing and drinking. With a wide selection of boba shops in Irvine, we chose the top...

The new park will be around 50% bigger than the original and is expected to cost $50 million.

Iconic Aquapark Returns Under Plan for OC’s Great Park

Benji Kim, Business Team | May 20, 2019

Since the original Wild Rivers waterpark closed in 2011, the Irvine City Council has proposed many plans to redevelop the park, the latest of which has passed “Phase One” in 2017 and is moving forward,...

The Galaxy Fold uses app continuity, in which apps can easily switch between the tablet screen and the phone screen depending on the fold.

Unfolding the Galaxy Fold

Benjamin Kim and Junhee Ryu | May 17, 2019

Samsung chose to delay the launch of its highly-anticipated new smartphone, the Galaxy Fold, after early reviewers reported screen failures associated with flaws in hardware design. The Fold, originally...

While the 2014 outbreak of measles reached a total of 667 cases, halfway through 2019 cases have already broken 700, and the number continues to climb.

Measles Cases Rise in Southern California

Nicholas Hung and Benjamin Kim | May 16, 2019

Orange County health officials confirmed two cases of measles on May 4, bringing the number of confirmed cases this year to three in OC, including a UCI graduate student and an infant. Measles cases...

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