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
Sophomore Avnit Kaur works to strengthen her case with her speech and debate teammates. “The thing I love about the Lincoln-Douglas style is that we have to debate on both the affirmative side and the negation side of the resolution,” Kaur said. “It really helps you think on both sides rather than being fixated on one idea.”

From Prep to Podium: Sophomore Avnit Kaur Lands a Spot at the State Debate Tournament

Alice Ahn and Maitri Allani | March 26, 2024

After weeks of tireless preparation into the late hours of the night, it is finally the day of the speech and debate tournament. With sweaty palms and a heightened pulse, sophomore Avnit Kaur steps to...

Shortstop and sophomore Keyan Park bats during the third inning. The team was energetic and played cohesively throughout the game, according to Park.

Baseball’s Home Run Wins Series Against University High

Nina Krish and Elise Ngo | March 22, 2024

Baseball (7-5-1) won its second game against University High with a score of 3-2 on March 13 at the home field in its series of three. The Bulldogs won the third game 9-1 on March 15, winning the series...

A Closer Look at How “High School Musical” Came to Fruition

Marianne Chan and Stephanie Hwang | March 22, 2024

Junior Bill Song, senior Gabe Mutsvangwa, junior Sophie Guilfoile, junior Evelyn Lai, senior Kate Abalos and junior Mia Jong (left back to front right) represented Portola High at the 2024 IUSD Sacramento student advocacy trip. The trip encourages critical thinking and student engagement in political discussion, according to Resendez. “You have to sit in a room with a legislator, and have the courage to stand up and say, I have a story to tell, and you need to know about it,” Resendez said.

Portola High Students Join Annual IUSD Sacramento Student Advocacy Trip

Mary Lee, Staff Writer | March 21, 2024

Six upperclassmen from Portola High participated in the annual Sacramento student advocacy trip on March 13, joined by students across the Irvine Unified School District (IUSD). The trip provided students...

Portola High South Asian Student Association (SASA) board members throw up colored powder to commemorate the success of their Holi event on March 10. “Portola has one of the largest attendance,” SASA co-president and senior Smira Sonthalia said. “That’s purely because of how big our club is as SASA and how many members we have. I’m just so happy to see that Portola has so many people here that come together and are celebrating with us.”

South Asian Student Association Vibrantly Celebrates Holi

Michael Sun | March 20, 2024

Speaker Alvia Lee addresses an audience of students from different schools during his workshop at the High School Youth Action teen’s (HSYAT) teen summit event. The workshop centered on mission and vision and included recountings of the speaker’s lived experiences. “It was nice that we were able to work with the people beside us,” teen summit attendee and sophomore May Li said. “The most memorable aspect was when the speaker wanted us to ask them what our best traits were, because sometimes you might not notice what they are until you’re told.”

An Electrifying Occasion: HSYAT Celebrates 30th Annual Teen Summit

Marianne Chan, Photo Editor | March 18, 2024

Irvine’s High School Youth Action Team (HSYAT) held its 30th annual teen summit — a youth development conference — at the Lakeview Senior Center on March 9. The event hosted Mayor Farrah Khan,...

Most people don’t consider dropping a class when it’s dragging them down. Here’s why they should.

The Hard Question of Hard Classes: Drop or Stay?

Jordan Hata, Staff Writer | March 15, 2024

For many high schoolers, getting good grades and having a high GPA is a perceived must for getting into their dream college. This is why many students take on several AP and honors classes when they become...

Clarke smiles with some of her Math 1 students during their Pi Day festivities, which began after a quiz, allowing them to unwind and have fun at the end of the day, according to freshman Peter Cooke. Clarke said many students pitched in by bringing food and drinks for the party, and Cooke even made her the pi model.

Pi Day Insπres Math Teacher and Enthusiast Melanie Clarke

Ruhi Samudra and Maya Tedini | March 14, 2024

Although holidays typically evoke images of decorations and seasonal treats, math teacher Melanie Clarke finds her joy in a different type of celebration –– one that revolves around a mathematical...

Comedians hosting award shows should tailor their jokes to focus attention on the achievements of their guests in the audience rather than bringing them down. “I think it's inappropriate for them to be making jokes that could offend others, and instead, they should be making jokes that could make everyone laugh,” junior Anaika Nagireddy said.

Award Show Hosts Need to Step Back From Offensive Jokes

Parmin Zamani, News Editor | March 8, 2024

Congratulations! You have just been selected to host the next big award show in Hollywood. Your job is to crack some jokes, entertain guests and viewers and create a positive atmosphere overall. You...

Math teacher Ran Gu receives a $10,000 Innovative Grant from the Irvine Public Schools Foundation (IPSF). IPSF awards over $5,000,000 in grants, donations and program support to the Irvine Unified School District each year, according to IPSF.

$10,000 IPSF Innovative Grant Digitizes Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports Program

Aditi Salunkhe, Assistant Sports Editor | March 5, 2024

Portola High was awarded a $10,000 innovative grant to digitize the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program from the Irvine Public Schools Foundation (IPSF) on Feb. 19. The winning...

Softball coaches Lili Belton and Olivia Pino play in a collegiate softball game on Westcliff University’s team. Belton completes a back door slide safe at home to avoid the tag and score the run, and Pino makes a play by getting an out while playing second base. “They take it very seriously and what they bring to the program is skill and discipline, and kind of just this youthful experience,” head softball coach Alexandra Dobbs said. “I would say they are this perfect combination of sensitive and kind, but driven and serious.”

New Softball Coaches Lili Belton and Olivia Pino ‘Pitch’ in with Passion

March 4, 2024

Recent movie musicals, including “Mean Girls” and “Wonka,” were not properly advertised as musicals, resulting in many audience members being surprised when the actors eventually broke out into song. “There was literally no singing in the trailer and I was very confused as a fan of the musical for Mean Girls,” senior Kody Lin said. “I have friends in theater that didn't know the movie itself was going to be a musical.”

Movie ‘Thespian-age’: Hollywood Should Not Hide Movie Musicals

Sonia Wang and Catherine Li | February 29, 2024

Through the release of films like “Wonka,” “Mean Girls” and “The Color Purple,” December and January proved to be exciting months for fans of musical theater, bringing forth perhaps the largest...

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