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
Portola Singers member and senior Nithila Francis sings as the Symphonic Orchestra plays the musical accompaniment to “The Snowman” animation being projected in the background. Members of the orchestra used headsets and a monitor to stay in tempo with the animation, according to sound board operator and junior Amicus Carrasco. “The click track had allowed the instrumentalists and Mr. Stevens to keep in time with the video and made sure that they kept a consistent tempo because any deviation from the tempo would mess up the entire Snowman portion of the show,” Carrasco said.

‘Twas the Night’ of ‘Projecting’ Holiday Spirit at the Instrumental Concert

Tyler Kim and Cindy Mei | December 13, 2023

As the holiday season approaches, the sound of sleigh bells ringling, tingling and jingling lights up the auditorium with spirit and joy. The Portola High instrumental music department presented the “Twas...

Color Guard is an extreme time commitment, with students giving up mornings for rehearsal, weekends for competitions, and Wednesday afternoons for practice. “Some people say color guard is not a sport, and that it's so easy,” color guard captain and junior Jimin Han said. “I want them to know that I really put my heart and effort into the sport.”

From Practice to Performance: Winter Guard’s Passionate Pursuit of Perfection

Olivia Ganes and Mia Jong | December 12, 2023

As winter’s icy chill settles over the campus, the gymnasium fills with the warmth of vibrant flags and rhythmic music in preparation for the winter guard season — the time when students transform...

Three holiday items from the most popular fast food chains. These seasonal items are here for a limited time only, and are popular among customers.

These Holiday Treats of 2023 Are Un-brrr-ievably Good

Olivia Ganes, Staff Writer | December 7, 2023

During the season of giving, it is not only family and friends who are handing out presents. In early November, the fast-food chains Starbucks, Chick-fil-A and Wendy’s are releasing one of the greatest...

Senior Jeremy Chae sings as sophomore Caleb Shin records his voice with a production software. Despite being the band’s lead vocalist, Chae’s primary instrument was not always voice. “Honestly, I never thought that I would sing,” Chae said. “I thought it was really scary, even though I did play violin. I never really liked the idea of performance.”

Senior Jeremy Chae ‘Blooms’ Christian Music Group Otic Orchid

Maitri Allani and Michael Sun | December 7, 2023

To uplift, to worship and to praise. These three facets are what Christian music group Otic Orchid aims to teach in any of their songs, be it cover or original. Originally spearheaded by senior Jeremy...

Senior Renee Yasuda dances at 1 Million Dance Studio in Korea in August 2022. They followed hip-hop choreography to the song “bad guy” by Billie Eilish. Yasuda said the dance instructor taught the students the choreography in about one hour and filmed them at the end for their YouTube channel.

Senior Renee Yasuda Elevates Passion for Dance Though Instagram

Cindy Mei and Maya Tedini | December 7, 2023

In the realm of digital media, finding a sanctuary for expression can build confidence and ignite passion. A captivating art form, dance, has offered senior Renee Yasuda a mode of expression along with...

Lisa Hu Chen, an Orange County photographer and mother to Portola High students, takes photos of the boys’ basketball game on Nov. 28. “I think the best pictures that I've taken, especially with the boys basketball team, were pictures of kids on the sidelines,” Chen said. “They might be starters or they might not be, they might not be playing the whole game, but the way they show how much they love the team by being there just comes out of the pictures.”

Local Photographer Lisa Hu Chen Illuminates Campus Life

Maya Tedini and Ruhi Samudra | December 5, 2023

Photography is a medium of communication that transcends words, a concept local photographer Lisa Hu Chen employs to capture the emotions of and foster connections between the students and staff of...

Three Portola Pilot Alumni ‘Soar’ Through College Using Valuable Pilot Experiences

Three Portola Pilot Alumni ‘Soar’ Through College Using Valuable Pilot Experiences

Stephanie Hwang and Hannah Ko | December 4, 2023

As the time of year approaches when college applications are at a frenzy and stress levels reach their climax, many students may find it difficult to envision the end. Here are three Portola Pilot...

As the world continues to evolve, the notion of lifetime appointments to the U.S. Supreme Court stands at odds with injecting fresh perspectives and safeguarding justice. Enacting 18-year term limits would be one way to avoid the gerontocracy associated with partisan politics.

It is Time to Establish Terms of Office Limits in the Supreme Court

Michael Sun and Elizabeth Gao | December 2, 2023

Disclaimer: the sources used in this story are primarily progressive, left-leaning sources.  Picture this: a practically unassailable throne, defying the changing modernity of our times and undermining...

The 2023 Cricket World Cup final was the most watched match in the history of the tournament, boasting over 300 million spectators, according to ESPN. “It was fun,” senior Sehaj Sethi said. “Every ball, every run I was just hoping that Team India scores. It was really exciting, really thrilling.”

The ICC Cricket World Cup Ends in Disappointment for Indian Fans

Maitri Allani | December 1, 2023

The ICC Cricket World Cup final between Australia and India kicked off on Nov. 19 at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat to a crowd of approximately 92,000 people, with Australia winning the cup...

Freshman Petra Tonkovich smiles enthusiastically during warm-ups, eager to begin practice. Water polo has taught her to display patience as she faces mental blocks in the sport, according to Tonkovich.

Petra Tonkovich: Meet Girls’ Water Polo’s Only Varsity Freshman

Madeline Chung and Elise Ngo | November 30, 2023

“Firecracker.” “Competitive.” “A bottle of sunshine.” Freshman Petra Tonkovich, a new member of the varsity girls’ water polo team, displays all of these bright characteristics both in...

“The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” came out in theaters on Nov. 17 featuring a young and ambitious Coriolanus Snow in the defining moments of his life. Viewers watch throughout the film as Snow progresses from a relatively innocent student to a cunning, driven person that goes on to become the despotic leader from the original films.

‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ Review: A Compelling and Thought-Provoking Prequel

Parmin Zamani, News Editor | November 29, 2023

Katniss Everdeen. Peeta Mellark. Haymitch Abernathy. Finnick Odair.  These are some of the many characters “Hunger Games” fans know and love from the books and movies released around a decade ago....

Senior Belan Ngo reorganizes necklaces in the accessory section at Brandy Melville. “I just got a promotion, and now I'm the accessories manager, so basically I merchandise and market all the jewelry items, and I'm in charge of making sure everything looks good,” Ngo said.

‘Working’ It: Meet the Bulldogs Who Have Jobs

Camille Clement and Nina Krish | November 29, 2023

From serving customers food to tutoring students, let's dive into the jobs of Portola High students, balancing work and school. Belan Ngo As a freshman, senior Belan Ngo was scouted by Brandy Melville...

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