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
As a well-rounded student-athlete, senior Rocky Palacio balances a busy academic life and athletic schedule, taking on challenging STEM classes and long football practices. He said that he tries to stay focused on his goals and avoid giving in to distractions. “My academics have always been a strong focal point of my parents for me, but also personally, I value them a lot,” Palacio said. “Especially if you're good at academics and you pursue athletics, then it could take you to a lot of places. Working hard in the classroom also translates into other areas of your life and just opens a lot more opportunities.”

Senior Rocky Palacio Displays Achievements in Both Academics and Athletics with the National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Award

Maya Tedini and Parmin Zamani | April 12, 2024

Countless hours spent inside the classroom studying and outside practicing on the football field come with challenges, but for senior Rocky Palacio, they also come with rewards: the National Football...

A ban on the sale of fur clothing is the most straightforward way to discourage animal cruelty. “Fashion brands that use real fur have no regard for animal welfare,” Biology Club member and sophomore Grace Li said. “That’s why more and more public attention is being directed towards fur alternatives.”

Faux Fur, Real Ethics: Why It Is Time for the United States to Ban Fur

Claire Liu, Staff Writer | April 10, 2024

Once an avid and controversial fan of fur coats, boots, handbags and bikinis, Kim Kardashian West announced in 2019 that she was giving up fur and remaking all her natural fur coats with synthetics —...

One of senior Yunseo Kwon’s favorite pieces in her portfolio submission is her self portrait because it represents her experience with different art mediums and styles. “It incorporates design elements that I’ve been learning recently and the realistic art I’ve been doing for a long time so combining them to make me felt like my identity is being revealed through my artwork,” Kwon said.

Orange County Register Artist of the Year Semifinalists Senior Yunseo Kwon and Junior Michelle Lu Rise to Success

Marianne Chan and Stephanie Hwang | April 10, 2024

Senior Yunseo Kwon and junior Michelle Lu were the semifinalists in the 2024 Orange County Artist of the Year, a contest that honors seven students in the county as Artist of the Year through three...

FIRST Robotics president and senior Amy Shok adjusts the robot created for the Orange County Robotics competition before a game. “We had to make sure that everything was going according to plan, and if there was any problem, we were prepared to fix it,” Shok said. “I think that problem-solving mindset was evident in our robot as well. Our robot had a lot of different changes made because the original design didn't account for things such as how the robot would be made.”

FIRST Robotics Team Creates a ‘Crescendo’ at Orange County Competition

Sonia Wang and Kayley Winata | April 9, 2024

FIRST Robotics competed in the Orange County Regional Robotics competition from March 28-30 in Costa Mesa, where they were unable to qualify for playoffs due to technical issues with their robot, according...

Not-So-Objectively Reviewing Some of Portola High’s AP Courses

Not-So-Objectively Reviewing Some of Portola High’s AP Courses

Cindy Mei and Michael Sun | April 8, 2024

DISCLAIMER: This list is purely subjective and intended for entertainment only.  AP English Language and Composition You will learn how to construct a rhetorical precis, type at light speed...

Students need to normalize taking a variety of classes that are not necessarily APs so that they have non stressful and fun classes in between their more challenging ones. “I’m not against APS,” junior Nero Xu said. “I think APs are a good challenge and can help you look good for colleges. What I’m against is students cramming APs even though they clearly don’t like it or are overwhelmed by it.”

APs or Actually Problematic?

Elizabeth Gao and Stephanie Hwang | March 29, 2024

As students choose their new classes for the next year in March, there is a concerning trend: students cram their schedules with Advanced Placement (AP) classes, not because they are interested in those...

Junior Leon Yang makes a putt on hole six at Portola High’s home course, Rancho San Joaquin. Boys’ golf (6-1) won against Irvine High with a final score of 194-196 on March 21. Their next game will be against Sage Hill on April 9.

Boys’ Golf ‘Putts’ Away 194-196 Victory Against Irvine High

Tyler Kim | March 29, 2024

Multi-sport coach Julie Primero and girls’ lacrosse huddle to discuss strengths and weaknesses from their last game as well as new strategies to implement in their upcoming matches. “Coach Primero is a really hands-on coach,” lacrosse player and sophomore Isabelle Borrison said. “She loves to get involved with us and show us exactly what we're doing wrong. She watches our form and footsteps and gets little details that you wouldn’t see if you were watching the game.”

From the Dance Floor to the Playing Field: All-Star Coach Julie Primero Redefines Coaching Excellence

Sky Nguyen and Kelly Yeh | March 28, 2024

While most coaches specialize in one sport, former dance teacher, physical education teacher, head girls’ lacrosse coach, head girls’ flag football coach and JV girls’ basketball coach Julie Primero...

Girls Who Code (GWO) co-President and senior Injila Adil hands a microphone over to Planet Protectors President and junior Sahana Ananth during their meeting on March 20. The two clubs plan on collaborating to code an app designed by Planet Protectors that promotes environmental consciousness, according to GWO co-President and sophomore Avnit Kaur.

Girls Who Code Club Celebrates STEM Field Trailblazers for Women’s History Month

Maya Tedini | March 28, 2024

March was first named Women’s History Month in 1987 after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, according to The Library of Congress. Women’s contributions to history and...

“Dune: Part Two” was released in theaters on March 1 as a sequel to “Dune: Part One” released in 2021. Building upon the storyline laid out in "Dune: Part One,” the film dives deeper into the desert planet of Arrakis, forming a story of community, power and betrayal.

The Ascension of Paul Atreides: “Dune: Part Two” Captures Fascinating Transition from Hero to Villain

Claire Chan, Front Page Editor | March 27, 2024

Disclaimer: This article may contain spoilers. In a science fiction world with various planets and advanced technology, “Dune: Part Two” can be summarized into the following: two sides of an intergalactic...

Mayor Farrah Khan delivered her final State of the City Address, which included a reflection on the city’s economic growth and future goals. “As we move forward, let’s continue to build on this legacy, embracing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead,” Khan said. “Let’s shape a future that honors our shared achievements and reflects our common values.”

Mayor Farrah Khan Unveils Vision for Future Progress in State of the City Address

Aditi Salunkhe, Assistant Sports Editor | March 27, 2024

Mayor Farrah Khan delivered her final State of the City Address to discuss Irvine’s accomplishments and developmental goals at the Irvine Barclay Theater on March 19. The speech involved a reflection...

Visual Arts teacher Kearci Thompson poses with her Orange County Outstanding Art Educator Award certificate. “Something I really love about my job is the creativity that the students bring into the room each day that helps me fuel my own creativity,” Thompson said. “I love getting to collaborate with them and come up with new ideas.”

Artistic, Avid and Assiduous: Visual Arts Teacher Kearci Thompson Recognized as Outstanding Arts Educator

Marianne Chan, Staff Writer | March 26, 2024

The moment students enter Visual Arts teacher Kearci Thompson’s classroom, they realize that her room is not just a classroom of the arts but a product of her ‘paint-astic’ passion. For her commitment...

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