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
Dance and French teacher Megan Kirby instructs Dance 1 students on the proper form and technique of pique turns. “There's a lot of learning from mistakes involved and developing skill[s] and having a growth mindset,” Kirby said.

French Teacher Megan Kirby ‘Turns’ to the Dance Studio

Mary Lee and Aditi Salunkhe | October 5, 2023

When dance and French teacher Megan Kirby began her career at Portola High in 2016, her classes mainly consisted of VAPA-related courses: French 1, Dance 1, Technical Theater and Drama 1. However, she...

Chao spikes and attacks the ball down and scores a point in the second set with an assist from setter and junior Lana Nguyen. The girls will next play at Woodbridge High on Oct. 5.

Girls’ Volleyball Concludes Pre-League Season in Landslide Win Against Laguna Hills High

Nina Krish | October 4, 2023

Noah Paniagua and Shion Homma, the drum major and assistant drum major respectively, share jokes with one another during their break. Paniagua said that being a member of a marching band has been a lifelong dream of his. “I just grew up always wanting to be a part of a marching band, so I came into high school and joined the marching band, always trying to look for a leadership role,” Paniagua said. “Whether I’m the section leader or the drum major, I always wanted to see what I could do.”

Conducting Success: Meet Drum Major Noah Paniagua

Tyler Kim, Co-Editor-in-Chief | October 3, 2023

A wicker hat, a Pride of Portola jacket and two gloves. That’s all that drum major and senior Noah Paniagua needs in order to conduct, lead and direct over 100 students in the Portola High Marching Band....

ASB hosted Portola High’s annual Homecoming Dance on Sept. 23. Seniors Lena Cho, Ivy Nunez, Kristy So and Audrey Yung dance to the song “Y.M.C.A.” by the Village People.

Portola High Students Experience an ‘Epic’ Homecoming

Aditi Salunkhe, Assistant Sports Editor | October 3, 2023

In her singles match, freshman Mia Lichtenstein gets ready to serve the ball across the net to win a point and her match overall. Though singles and doubles were strong at the beginning of their matches, the team is always looking to improve, according to interim head coach Maithy Do. “We’re always improving on doubles, closing in at mid, closing the point at net and just movement in general,” Do said.

Girls’ Tennis ‘Serves’ Victory Against Laguna Hills High

Stephanie Hwang | October 2, 2023

Girls’ tennis (8-0) defeated Laguna Hills High 15-3 in a home match on Sept. 19. Six wins were out of the singles’ bracket, and nine wins were in the doubles’ bracket. Their next match will be on...

Portola High is packed to the brim with interesting teachers inside the classroom, but how much do students know about their favorite teachers’ outside of the classroom? Here are some traditions and interests held by a few of these entertaining instructors:

The Secret Life of Teachers: Portola High Teachers’ Unique Interests and Special Traditions

Tara Vatandoust, Co-Editor-in-Chief | October 2, 2023

With parking permit prices at $80 dollars a year at Portola High, students should not be paying such a high amount and staff members should thoroughly check the cars in the parking lot for permits. If permits were affordable, parking spaces would fill up and others would not gain an unfair advantage over students who actually paid for the permit at full price.

Permit Prices: Why Our Parking System Needs Improvement

Claire Chan and Marianne Chan | October 2, 2023

Earning a driver’s license can be tedious for Portola High students. It requires a driver’s education class, permit test and the behind the wheel test. Imagine completing those requirements, only to...

Wide receiver and sophomore Zoe Del Rosario attempts to evade two of Northwood High’s players as they try to pull her flag. To improve for future games, head flag football coach Julie Primero said that the team needs to work on their catching and communication with each other.

Flag Football’s Tough Loss Shapes Goals for the Rest of the Season

Maya Tedini and Parmin Zamani | October 2, 2023

Flag football (4-10-1) lost 0-21 in a home game against Northwood High on Sept. 25. Their next game is a home game on Oct. 9 against Woodbridge High. During the first half, the Bulldogs had less offensive...

Freshman Kristi Harig sprints to the end of the three mile course in the freshman girls race at the Woodbridge Classic on Sept. 15. “Before the race, I was super nervous, which is the same with all races,” Harig said. “But thanks to the upperclassmen, I was reminded that it's okay and that I trained for this. Just put in the work and you'll be fine.”

Cross Country Bridges the Path to Success at Woodbridge Classic

Madeline Chung | September 29, 2023

Freshmen girls, freshmen boys, sophomore girls and sophomore boys placed second, seventh, second and third respectively at the annual Woodbridge Classic on Sept. 15, blazing past the finish line of...

English teachers Melissa Miller, Christina Han and Alex Carino were just hired this year. “I'm definitely getting immersed in refining my practice of teaching more,” Miller said. “And my overall goal is just trying to be as immersed in the school culture as possible.”

Icebreakers: Get To Know These Three New English Teachers

Kayleen Kim and Nina Krish | September 29, 2023

These three new English teachers show a glimpse into their teaching experience an open up about their feelings about Portola High’s community. Take a look at the English teachers, Melissa Miller,...

A geography course can help students learn the importance of critical thinking and understand the world around them on a deeper level. Without such courses, this opportunity may be missed.

Students Deserve to View the World with Geographical Knowledge

Mary Lee, Staff Writer | September 28, 2023

Geographic knowledge is not defined by one’s ability to identify countries on a map without a blink —  geography connects countries and cultures, contextualizes current events and creates a tangible...

Attacker and junior Ryder Tonkovich cocks his arm to score a point against Long Beach Poly High in the second quarter. The Bulldogs’ win against the Jackrabbits added to their long list of victories this season, allowing them to build their momentum and confidence, according to head boys’ water polo coach Kate Avery. “We have been playing some good teams and we've come out on top, which is great,” Avery said. “Our offense is looking really good. Our defense has been looking fine. We can always improve there. We are a defensive-minded team anyways.”

Boys’ Water Polo Dominates Their Game Against Long Beach Poly High

Sonia Wang and Mia Jong | September 28, 2023

Boys’ water polo (9-1) won 12-4 at its recent match against Long Beach Polytechnic High on Sept. 19. The Bulldogs’ next game will be a league match against University High on Oct. 3. The Bulldogs...

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