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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

Chen works with the Scratch program to create games, such as a ball moving through a maze.

Students Scratch the Surface During Hour of Code

Maya Sabbaghian, Co-Editor-in-Chief | December 14, 2017

Students participated in Hour of Code to learn the basics of coding using Scratch, an MIT-developed program, during advisement on Dec. 6. Hour of Code is a global initiative that gives students a 60-minute...

Cheer squad practices a new routine for its upcoming performances.

‘Bulldog, Rumble!’

John Xie, Chloe Ma, and Jenny Zhang | December 14, 2017

With a passion for performance and dance, blended in with their energetic personalities, they gather together each Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. to spread their positive attitudes...

Since the novel's publication in 1954, "Lord of the Flies" has been adapted into a movie adaptation in 1963, and another in 1990.

‘Lord of the Flies’: The Darker Side of Children

Wesley Tjangnaka, Contributing Writer | December 13, 2017

In today’s world, many adolescent children yearn to be independent from authority so they can do what they want without consequences. This dream came true for a group of schoolboys, in William Golding’s...

McMurray showcases her abilities while throwing the ball during practice.

Protecting the Pedigree: First Female Football Player

Ava Caleca and Maya Sabbaghian | December 12, 2017

When the whistle blows, she sprints forward across turf and tackles her teammate, only to release when the next whistle sounds. Freshman Lauren McMurray is the first girl to join the football team. “During...

 Desktop Dual USB Charging Station with Dual Alarms by La Crosse Technology.

Top Holiday Tech Gift Ideas Under $30

Ajinkya Rane and Jacob Kim | December 12, 2017

It may be hard to tell with the Southern California weather, but the holidays have finally arrived! Here are some interesting and affordable gifts to buy for your family and friends. 1. Alarm clock...

Freshmen Alina Medvedeva (left) and Nena Oshita (right) complete twin leg holds in the dance practice room.

Leaping into the First Dance Company

Annie Qiao, Co-Editor-in-Chief | December 11, 2017

From an arabesque to a grand jeté, a dancer leaps across the marley floor with accuracy and grace. As one of the newest additions to the dance program, the inaugural dance company features students specializing...

Painting Portola: An Art Club Feature

Painting Portola: An Art Club Feature

Chloe Ma, Staff Writer | December 8, 2017

Have you ever noticed drawings and other types of artwork around campus? Most of them are from the ‘People with Paintbrushes’ Club, also known as Art Club. The club was founded last year, holding meetings...

Arvin Kupumbati meets with Melissa Gibson for his sophomore conference.

Time To Meet With The Counselors!

Dylan Vanek, Front & Back Page Editor | December 8, 2017

Sophomore-counselor planning conferences are just starting, and the main goal of the conferences is to help sophomores plan the rest of their high school careers with their assigned counselor. Each sophomore...

JV Girls' Soccer huddles before an evening matchup against University High.

Kicking Into A New Year of Girls’ Soccer

Simrat Singh, Staff Writer | December 8, 2017

Updated December 8, 2017. The JV girls' soccer team currently has a record of 4-1-1. Freshman and Captain Hope Paredes has scored more than 6 goals. The team has two upcoming tournaments and 11 games remaining. The...

Freshman Nick Hsu makes use of the machinery to drill a hole through a PVC pipe.

Where Creativity Comes to Life

Anthony Chan and Ki Joon Lee | December 7, 2017

Throughout November, the Innovation Lab attached to the Student Commons bustled with freshman science classes working on aquaponic systems, their first semester Genius Project in which groups create a...

Sophomore Manimaran Muchikkal trains with his teammates during practice.

Wrestling Into a New Season

Shawyan Rooein and Dylan Vanek | December 7, 2017

Updated December 7th 2017: The wrestling team currently has a record of 0-2 out of two matches against University High and Beckman High. Though their season is off to a slow start, four players have won...

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