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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

Sophomores Kate Hiyashi and Jordan Amlen are directors of Classline this year, which Hayashi began spring 2018. Since then, the team has created dozens of study guides and articles.

Classline: Keeping Studying Classy

Jordan Lee, Front Page Editor | October 17, 2018

“Let's get through high school together,” reads Classline’s homepage. Classline, formerly known as the empathy project Instatutors, is a club whose goal is to help students enjoy their high school...

The WASC process is a six-year cycle during which students and staff members evaluate their school development and set goals.

WASC Process Begins This Year at Portola

Jordan Lee and Shawyan Rooein | October 16, 2018

This year at Portola, our school will begin its process to become an accredited school through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). WASC is a statewide body tasked with accrediting public...

The marching band gets their final words of encouragement from teacher Desmond Stevens before embarking on their field show at the Tesoro Marching Band Field Tournament

Marching To Victory at Tesoro Field Tournament

Shawyan Rooein, Backpage Editor | October 16, 2018

In its first field tournament of the year, the Pride of Portola (marching band and color guard) competed at the Tesoro High Field Tournament on Oct.6. Scoring first in division 3A. With a unique theme...

With a bigger ASB budget, students enjoyed the open atmosphere outside of the Student Union. ASb brought in a larger DJ setup, with spotlights, light towers and an entire food truck.

Forthcoming Dance Breaks Records with 510 Attendees

Nicholas Hung, Staff Writer | October 15, 2018

For the first time, the Forthcoming dance on Oct. 6 took place outside of the Student Union, with an elaborate DJ stage, dance floor and photo booth set up in front of the 900 building. From 7 p.m. to...

Sophomore and pre-trial attorney Joanna Fan looks over Mock Trial case law in order to compose her first amendment argument for the 2018-2019 case on criminal threatening and swatting.

From the Classroom to the Courtroom: A Spotlight on Mock Trial

Tiffany Wu and Dylan Vanek | October 12, 2018

In the Santa Ana Courthouse, Mock Trial makes its way up the ivory white staircase, ready to don heavily-rehearsed character forms and play a part in pre-determined cases set by the Constitutional Rights...

Staff Editorial: Cutting Out Club Redundancy

Staff Editorial: Cutting Out Club Redundancy

October 12, 2018

Whether students are searching for volunteer opportunities in Key Club, progressing toward a competition with Science Olympiad or simply having fun with indoor soccer, clubs are an essential aspect of...

The PSAT/NMSQT, or the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, will open up new opportunities for both Portola High and its students.

Juniors Take The PSAT/NMSQT

Jenny Won, Business Team | October 12, 2018

The PSAT was administered to juniors at Portola High on Oct. 10.  As this was Portola’s first year with juniors, the exam was a new experience for students and teachers alike. While students had the...

About Teen Mental Health: Q&A with Dr. Raquel Katangian-Ayala

About Teen Mental Health: Q&A with Dr. Raquel Katangian-Ayala

Maryam Shama, Co-Editor-in-Chief | October 12, 2018

Maryam Shama: What is the main cause of mental health issues among teenagers? Dr. Raquel Katangian-Ayala: I would say we see a lot of anxiety and depression. Also identity, so social identity, even...

Quarterback Brandon Yue rushes the ball against the Trojans.

Bulldogs Take Tough Forthcoming Loss against University High

Dylan Gates, Media Director | October 12, 2018

Varsity football (2-5) lost the forthcoming game against University High; after the teams traded the lead multiple times, the Trojans came out on top clinching a 16-28 victory. The Bulldogs will play Northwood...

The green spell lemonade, and graveyard cupcake were a few of the many Halloween treats we tested.

999 Happy Haunts at Disneyland

Ava Caleca, Julia Kim, and Aneska Smith | October 12, 2018

The vibrant streets of Disneyland are decked out with purple banners, cobwebs, shadows and more, as a spooky spell was cast onto both Disneyland and California Adventure park. Starting Sept. 7, Disneyland...

Clubs commissioner Faith Kim and secretary Chris Choung scan a club constitution and decide whether to merge it with another club.

Faith Kim Kicks Club Conflicts to the Curb

Jane Zou, Staff Writer | October 12, 2018

Clubs commissioner and sophomore Faith Kim has the task of sifting through club constitutions and merging clubs in preparation for Club Kick-Off on Oct. 11. The student population grows with each incoming...

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