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
Despite the scrutiny that Harvard University has been facing from the Trump’s administration’s threat to withdraw funding, many students are taking a stand with Harvard president Alan Garber, according to CNN US. In their fight to maintain academic freedom, students have gathered in rallies on Harvard’s campus to protest. "Schools aren't simply institutions for learning, but also where students talk about values, current events and ideas,” sophomore Aarohi Kshemkkalyani said. “As political issues reach more of the younger generation through social media and increased youth interest, it is not surprising that schools become a part of the conversation. It is crucial that schools allow for respectful dialogue, creating safe spaces for students without any outside political pressures.”

Harvard Pushes Back: University Rejects Trump’s Administration’s Policies

Tamara Bradley and Nicole Ferguson | May 19, 2025

On April 14, Harvard president Alan Garber claimed that he will be rejecting demands from President Donald Trump’s administration to regulate campus culture, facing a withdrawal of $9 billion from research...

Almquist Development’s rendering of a grasstop area in The Canopy shows simulated people exploring the area with their families. “One of the things that we like to cater to are kids and families in creating these really nice outdoor areas where people can hang out, get something to eat [or] get something to drink,” Vice President of Almquist Development Tom Carpenter said. “Kids can run and play and be outside, and everybody can enjoy themselves.”

Plans to Expand: Great Park Brings New Retail and Dining to Residents

Marianne Chan, Assistant Opinion Editor | May 17, 2025

The Great Park unveiled plans to develop new major areas, including The Canopy—a planned retail and dining center—in its State of the Great Park event on May 7. Designed to bring together residents...

Social studies teacher Virginia Nguyen uses her social media platform to promote her non-profit, Educate to Empower, as well as share her classroom values. “If you want to know who I am, how I navigate and live my life, my classroom teacher self, my nonprofit director self, my mom self, my friends self, my daughter self, [the account] is very much who I am,” Nguyen said. “When they look at the social media, I hope that authenticity comes through where students are like, ‘Oh, that's so Ms. Nguyen.’” Photos Courtesy of Virgina Nguyen, Otto Lopez and Kearci Thompson.

Posting with Purpose: Teachers Redefine Instagram as a Platform for Connection

Dania Yamani and Senna Kahf | May 16, 2025

While others chase virality on social media, these teachers are using Instagram not for likes, but for creating lasting impacts on students and educators alike. Visual arts teacher Kaerci Thompson created...

OMNI’s wildfire drone focuses not just on prevention but cost-efficiency. “Usually these drones go for around more than a thousand dollars,” media manager and junior Saanvi Gangireddy said. “But with our drone, we’re just modifying a preexisting drone to do the same functions, so it’s a lot cheaper and more affordable for communities who need it.”

When Loss Meets Determination: OMNI ‘Flies’ to New Heights in Community Safety

Stephanie Hwang, News Editor | May 16, 2025

From the ashes and devastation of the LA fires early this year emerged a group of students who said: never again. Meet OMNI, a group of high school students building a wildfire prevention and medicine...

Junior Jane Ryu stands in front of her winning art from over the past three years. “I think it helps to think about how your message will be received by people beyond Portola,” Ryu said. “Choosing something that’s both personal and relatable universally can make your work really stand out.”

Junior Jane Ryu Paints Her Way Towards Growth in the Congressional Art Competition

Mary Lee, Assistant A&E Editor | May 16, 2025

Messages about the coexistence of chaos and calm, uncertainties of unavoidable scenarios and staying steadfast amid a changing world. For Ryu, this year marks the third time placing in the Congressional...

Senior Hanna Kim poses in her Portola Pep Squad uniform during media day, celebrating four years of spirit while Senior Kathy Pedram closes out her final year on the Portola Pep Squad during senior night, celebrating not just her upcoming graduation, but also the unforgettable memories as part of the cheer community.

From Student to Teacher: Seniors Give A Helping Hand During Cheer Clinic

Kailyn Clark, Staff Writer | May 16, 2025

With the end of the school year approaching, sports seasons are finishing and seniors are preparing to graduate—leaving behind a legacy and passing on their wisdom to the next generation. For seniors...

Kali Uchis released her fifth studio album entirely in English on May 9, marking this as her first project recorded solely in one language.

Kali Uchis’ ‘Sincerely,’ Hits All the Right Notes on Love and Life

Olivia Ganes, Assistant Sports Editor | May 15, 2025

Kali Uchis’ fifth studio album, “Sincerely,” marking her first project entirely in English, was released on May 9. The album contains 14 tracks, including standout singles such as “Heaven is a...

Irvine Korean Parent Association member Hyojin Kwon stands by the snack table and hands out Korean snacks and drinks to science teacher Meghan Truax. “They had a ton of food,” Assistant Principal Brandon Emery said. “They had a really good selection like, beef, vegetarian, spicy, which was really nice and considerate to different people's dietary needs. They had videos playing in the background of K-pop. It was really interesting to have that. And it was really well attended. People seemed really happy with it.”

Korean Parent Association Give Teachers a Taste of Appreciation with Cultural Lunch

Kelly Yeh, Assistant News Editor | May 14, 2025

To celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, the Irvine Korean Parent Association (IKPA) treated faculty and staff to a special lunch on May 1, serving traditional Korean dishes and snacks. Every year, IKPA...

Despite the recent popularity of the USC Speak Your Mind Challenge, there is a lack of people addressing the original reasons behind the movement. While new trends continue to spread, students need to pause and ask themselves, “Why does it matter?”

More Than a Trend: Mental Health Deserves More Than a Bucket of Ice

Sruti Allani, Staff Writer | May 14, 2025

Stemming from the 2014 ALS advocacy movement, the University of South Carolina (USC) revived the Ice Bucket Challenge through its Speak Your Mind campaign this April. Though originally intended to encourage...

Junior Simar Kaur presents four recent nail sets. “The first set I did was French, and I remember it looked really bad,” Kaur said. “I remember the Spider-Man set that took me six hours to do. I feel like after I did the Spider-Man nails, I got the hang of it, and after that everything got easier.”

Manicures With Meaning: Junior Simar Kaur Gives Back to the UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital

Nina Krish, Sports Editor | May 14, 2025

For many students, side hustles are a quick way to make some extra cash while pursuing their studies. For junior Simar Kaur, her passion for nail art has turned her creativity into compassion as she donates...

Ben Matsuda finishes his swing on the fairway. “Ben’s a freshman, and he’s playing solid,” boys’ golf coach Wind Ralston said. “His average is way below what it was for general rounds, which is good because that means he is playing better golf under more competitive circumstances.”

Freshman Ben Matsuda ‘Swings’ Into Excellence on Boys’ Golf

Nicole Lu and Moer Koey | May 14, 2025

As a sport that is demanding of both skill and mental resilience, golf is often described as a game of focus. For varsity golfer and freshman Ben Matsuda, his dedication for the sport has shaped his mindset...

“Thunderbolts*” is considered to be one of most positively reviewed Marvel movies. After recently releasing low rated films like “Deadpool and Wolverine” and “Captain America: Brave New World,” “Thunderbolts*” scored a high 88% on Rotten Tomatoes.

“Thunderbolts*” Tackles Mental Health Amid High-Stakes Action Plot

Nora Aljazzar, Staff Writer | May 13, 2025

“Thunderbolts*,” a Marvel Cinematic Universe film directed by Jake Schreier, was released on May 2. The thought-provoking action film tells the story of a new hero battling mental health, a uniquely...

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