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
Senior class council practices their halftime show dance on the evening of Sept. 20. The builds seen in the background are a new concept, according to ASB adviser Kate Avery. “I will say none of the work is easy, but what was helpful is we have people like our senior president and VP and our junior President and VP,” Avery said. “They were all in ASB last year, and so they kind of understood what the expectation was, what the builds should look like and what we need going into them.”

A Behind the Scenes Look at the ‘Epic Adventure’ of the Homecoming Halftime Show

Ruhi Samudra and Shaina Taebi | September 25, 2023

In preparation for the Homecoming football game on Sept. 22 and the dance on Sept. 23, ASB and class council members choreographed dances, made boards for the performance and decorated corners of the school...

Portola High should bring back the old pep rally schedule to reduce student confusion and maximize efficiency. 48 of 60 students polled on Instagram voted they preferred the old pep rally schedule over the new schedule.

Bring Back Our ‘Pep’ with the Old Pep Rally Schedule

Parmin Zamani and Jordan Hata | September 22, 2023

Starting in the 2023 to 2024 school year, Portola High administration has adopted a new pep rally schedule involving two assemblies to accommodate the near 10 percent increase in the student body, according...

Math teacher Shelley Godett discusses a warm-up question with her Period 7 AP Precalculus class. Students learn about the fundamentals of polynomial and rational functions during the first unit of the course.

New AP Precalculus Class Replaces Enhanced Math 3 and Honors Precalculus

Madeline Chung and Camille Clement | September 22, 2023

Portola High administration implemented AP Precalculus, the College Board's new national curriculum, in place of the Honors Precalculus and Enhanced Math III courses starting in the 2023 to 2024 school...

Taylor Swift fans anxiously await her arrival at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, eager to see the renowned artist perform songs from all of her “Eras,” or albums. “Truly, my best friend and I were joking that ‘this is the best time of my life,’” visual arts teacher Kearci Thompson said. “Besides our wedding, tied with our wedding! It was just so much fun.”

Highly Anticipated Summer Concerts Captivate Lifelong Fans of Drake and Taylor Swift

Elise Ngo and Nina Krish | September 21, 2023

As the stage lights illuminate, the audience swells with anticipation. The world fades into the background as backup dancers pour onto the stage and the audience is swept into a whirlwind of electrifying...

Teacher librarian Amber Linehan holds up a copy of “Crying in H Mart” by Michelle Zauner, which she picked up in a book club. “I know that some of the students are reading memoirs right now, and a lot of kids came in asking for recommendations,” Linehan said. “And I’d say, ‘Crying in H Mart’ is one of my favorite memoirs.”

Meet Portola High’s Newest Book Fanatic: Teacher Librarian Amber Linehan

Elizabeth Gao and Michael Sun | September 20, 2023

Books, books and more books. All her life, recently hired teacher librarian Amber Linehan has been fascinated with the adventures of each new literary exploration, whether it be coaching students’...

Right after Spain’s historic victory at the World Cup, former RFEF President Luis Rubiales unconsensually kissed player Jenni Hermoso on the lips. “I felt vulnerable and a victim of an impulse-driven, sexist, out of place act without any consent on my part,” Hermoso said in a statement on Instagram. “Simply put, I was not respected.”

How the Hermoso Incident Revealed the Innate Misogyny in the RFEF

Maitri Allani and Claire Chan | September 19, 2023

Imagine the joy of winning the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time in your country’s history. A crowd of 75,784 people cheering as you accept your trophy. This moment was supposed to be one of...

Olivia Rodrigo released her second album, “Guts,” on Sept. 8. She is the youngest artist to debut three number 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, according to Variety Magazine.

Enchanting Echoes: Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘Guts’ Unveils a Melodic Journey of Courage and Connection

Elizabeth Gao, Staff Writer | September 18, 2023

Prepare to be captivated by Olivia Rodrigo's sophomore album, "Guts," which came out on Sept. 8. This mesmerizing musical journey showcases her artistic progress and reveals a brave vulnerability that...

Icelandic singer-songwriter Laufey’s second studio album “Bewitched” takes listeners on an utterly dreamlike poetic sonic experience through love and loss. The entire album is a practically perfect collection of “Alice in Wonderland” references, ethereal imagery, romantic fantasies of dancing in the streets and the word “melancholy.”

Laufey’s Latest Album has ‘Bewitched’ Us Right ‘From the Start’

Tara Vatandoust, Editor-in-Chief | September 18, 2023

Icelandic singer-songwriter Laufey waved her magic wand and revealed “Bewitched,” her second studio album at the stroke of midnight on Sept. 8. Described by Laufey as a “love album,” the serotonin-infused...

Students would benefit greatly from mental health days, which gives students time to relieve their stress and enjoy themselves. Mental health is just as important as physical health, and Portola High should encourage this idea among students through a newly-implemented system similar to Northwood High’s “State of the Student” day.

School-Wide Mental Health Days Should be Adopted

Madeline Chung and Elise Ngo | June 2, 2023

Feeling burnt out, hopeless and discouraged. As stress and anxiety continue to overwhelm high schoolers, the idea of schools offering mental health days is as appealing as ever. Portola High should...

Jake (senior Nick Nieto) defends himself to his bandmates when they confront him over his addiction, which has been a continuing problem throughout his life.

Seniors’ Last Play is Anything but a ‘One Hit Wonder’

Maitri Allani and Claire Chan | June 2, 2023

The seniors took their final bows for their last performance at Portola High as the audience broke into thunderous applause. Honors Theater Ensemble, an all senior class, put on a self-written play,...

Physical education teacher and assistant football coach Desmond Hernandez attempts a golf course on a summer trip to Hawaii in 2019. Sports such as golf have helped Hernandez stay disciplined and develop a structured routine for staying active, according to Hernandez.

Jacks of All Trades: Talented Teachers Take on Multiple Sports

Madeline Chung | June 1, 2023

Mastering a sport can require years of practice and dedication, yet these teachers are aces in a plethora of different sports. With extensive athletic backgrounds, they have tested both their physical...

Junior Yasmine Cheng first designed the senior mural by hand for the Class of 2024, which represents birds soaring over the sky. “I was just thinking of being free, being independent, choosing your own path, and when we leave high school, we basically can set our own course,” Cheng said. “I was trying to draw this piece and how I reflected on my past few years at this school.”

Soaring over the Sky: Junior Yasmine Cheng Creates Senior Mural for Class of 2024

Arshia Sista and Shaina Taebi | June 1, 2023

  Painted across from the ASB classroom is the senior mural for the class of 2023. Every year, this standing mural is repainted to honor and represent the graduating class. Now, as the year approaches...

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