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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

Junior Nicholas Sanchez won scariest costume.

Creeping Down the Runway of Horrors at the Halloween Costume Contest

Maya Sabbaghian and Maryam Shama | November 9, 2018

Students decked out in their Halloween costumes and walked down a paper runway in the quad for the annual ASB-hosted Halloween Costume competition during lunch on Oct. 31. ASB judged the Contestants on...

 Voter turnout for 2018 midterms is the result of public dissatisfaction and passionate support for candidates, leading to dead heat in the polls.

American History Students take Fall Midterm about Nation’s Political Midterms

Jane Zou, Staff Writer | November 9, 2018

Honors and college prep American history students analyzed the trends from previous elections to predict the 2018 midterms by choosing one candidate to represent various Congressional Districts across...

Entering Irvine Talk’s second year, students will showcase their many perspectives on the world around them. Their performances starting with the initial audition on Nov. 6  will flip, turn and change the way the community views the real world.

Students Audition for Irvine Talk’s Second Chapter

Jordan Lee, Front Page Editor | November 8, 2018

After its inaugural event last year, Irvine Talks will host its second event on Dec. 15 in the Portola theater. This year, student artists, bands and speakers will be given opportunity to audition to be...

Americans between ages 18 and 29 have consistently had the lowest voting turnout rates.

Why Are Young People Not Voting?

Jenny Won, Business Team Member | November 7, 2018

Voters crowded the poll booths yesterday morning to cast votes for their favorite candidates in the U.S. midterm elections. Yet, there seems to be an alarming trend: the vast majority of voters are over...

The new iPad Pro with Apple Pencil allows for it to be both a computer replacement and a more hand-held device.

Apple Upgrades Old Tech and New iPad

William Hsieh, Director of Photography | November 7, 2018

Apple held an event in New York on Oct. 30 unveiling the new Mac mini, Macbook Air and iPad Pro. While Apple had an event just last month for the new iPhone XS, this event showcased major improvements...

Sept. 15 is when five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, had gained their independence. Mexico, Chile and Belize follow shortly after, on the 16, 18 and 21.

Hispanic Heroes, Hispanic Heritage

Giselle Villegas, Staff Writer | November 6, 2018

As Dia De Los Muertos just come around, what is far lesser known is the wonderful time leading up to it: Hispanic Heritage Month. What began as just a week-long celebration turned into a month-long festival...

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen (a strong pitcher who closes off the game to shut down the opposing team’s batting) watches the ninth inning of game five from the dugout, knowing that the team had lost. Jansen, along with the team, had not performed his best and was pulled out of many games early due to errors made.

Los Angeles Dodgers Lose Back-to-Back World Series

Maryam Shama and Dylan Gates | November 5, 2018

The Los Angeles Dodgers lost after game five in the 2018 World Series against the Boston Red Sox on Oct. 28. This was the Dodgers’ second time falling short of the title after losing to the Houston Astros...

The Red Ribbon was first worn in 1985 in response to the death of drug-enforcement agent Enrique Camarena and has since served as the symbol of drug prevention, according to the United States Drug Enforcement Agency.

Choose to Refuse: Red Ribbon Week for Healthy Decisions

Ki Joon Lee, Marketing Manager | November 2, 2018

ASB organized Red Ribbon Week from Oct. 22 to Oct. 26 to spread awareness against substance abuse through a raffle sponsored by the Parent Teacher Student Association. “Substance abuse definitely...

Dia De Los Muertos

Dia De Los Muertos

Dylan Gates, Media Director | November 2, 2018

Junior Brandon Liang discusses his community service opportunities for the college application process with the college and career counselor Ms. Rengifo.

Getting to Know a Fresh Face in the Counseling Department

Dylan Vanek, Co-News Editor | November 1, 2018

As many students start their junior year, there is one topic on their minds: college applications. Although this is high on the list of priorities for juniors, some students do not know much about the...

Red Ribbon Week is Weak

Red Ribbon Week is Weak

Farhad Taraporevala, Arts and Entertainment Editor | October 31, 2018

Red Ribbon Week (Oct. 23-31) is a week designed to raise awareness about drugs. At the high school level, where it is needed the most, Red Ribbon Week is largely ineffective because it is overlooked and...

Following the myth of Orpheus presentation, concert orchestra played composer Christoph Gluck’s “Orfeo ed Euridice.” Both students pointed out how the descending line later in the video contributed to Orpheus’ grief and the piece’s overall sad tone.

Interdisciplinary Learning: Students Speak the Languages of Word and Music

Priscilla Baek and Helena Hu | October 30, 2018

Honors Greek Literature and concert orchestra students joined forces on Oct. 22 in the Learning Commons as they put on a performance centered on the myth of Orpheus, a Greek hero known for his divine music....

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