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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

Junior Gabriel Mutsvangwa, junior Kate Niho, junior Taisho Shiono, freshman Jamie Youn, freshman Kesin Jayakumar, junior Michael Shen, sophomore Zoe Wynn, sophomore Arden Sundaram, junior Madison Curran and junior Emmett Lo take  a group photo after winning ASB elected positions 2023-24. “I'm really proud that we take these elections seriously because I think it allows us to have a really solid group of people in ASB,” ASB and activities co-director Emily Sheridan said.

Portola High ASB Hosts its Fourth Annual Election Convention

Maitri Allani, Photo Editor | April 14, 2023

ASB hosted its annual election convention on March 31 during the school day in the theater to determine the elected ASB positions for the 2023-24 school year.  Junior Arjit Singh: ASB president ...

Fears that time is running out and the environment will collapse in the near future has spurred feelings of helplessness and desperation among young individuals. “I think there should be a lot more to be done to educate citizens on how you can take action in ways such as making public comments at city council meetings and just getting to know your representatives in general,” animal and environmental protection club president and senior Katherine Chang said.

Eco-anxiety Is a Step Forward to Saving the Environment

Jana Malek and Mary Lee | April 13, 2023

Unprecedented snowfall in California and wildfires ravaging communities. As storms and droughts have reached extreme levels, global warming’s impact on natural disasters has become a focus of discussion...

Some fans of celebrities harass the winners, who won instead of their favorite for that category because they place so much importance on these awards.

Awards Shows are Not as Important as Artists’ Artistic Merit

Maitri Allani and Christine Pham | April 12, 2023

When people open Twitter after an awards show, they get hit with an onslaught of mixed reactions. If the fans’ favorite celebrity loses to one they deem unworthy, some of them will attack the winning...

Science teacher Leanne Jimenez explains the next year’s different course options to eighth-period honors chemistry students on Friday. According to Jimenez, physics is a required course to take in junior year, whether it be a CP or AP level.

Science Teacher Leanne Jimenez Applies Uruguayan Educational Methods in the Classroom

Kayleen Kim and Mary Lee | April 10, 2023

Teaching in rural towns with one-room schoolhouses and taking 45-minute bus rides to and from school sounds improbable. Imagine working with students ranging in age from 2 to 12 in one classroom. When...

Freshman Leila Ceranic does backstroke, the only swim stroke that is performed on the back and one of the four swimming styles in competitive swimming, during the varsity  practice on Tuesday.

Leila Ceranic Makes a Splash As the Only Freshman on the Varsity Team

Kayleen Kim and Hannah Ko | March 31, 2023

A valuable new member of the swim team joined this past season. Here’s the catch: she is the only freshman on varsity.  Swimming since she was 5, Leila Ceranic took lessons at her private swim club,...

Sophomore Katie Le laughs as she talks to delegates from other local high schools in the U.S. Senate committee about the possible solutions their bloc could propose to combat domestic terrorism. “It’s all about fun, first of all, and some of them were able to practice their public speaking, practice their research skills and practice their ability to follow specific procedures and formats to reach goals,” MUN adviser and social studies teacher Daniel Hunter said.

MUN Competes at University High’s Annual Spring Conference

Maya Tedini, Staff Writer | March 31, 2023

Model United Nations won seven awards at the annual University High MUN Spring Conference on March 25.  Sophomore Ana Girnita: best delegate award in novice UN Human Rights Council Junior SJ Janolkar:...

Dance 3 and 4 took to the stage to perform a graceful and delicate contemporary piece titled “Always Be the One” to the song “I’ll Always be the One Who Makes You Cry” by Eric Hutchinson. The talented group of girls captured the audience’s attention as they skillfully executed their routine.

‘Vertigo’ Dance Concert ‘Spins’ into Action

Cara Chan, Marianne Chan, and Aditi Salunkhe | March 31, 2023

A hush descends over the audience as a synchronized mass of dancers take to the stage and perform an upbeat jazz combination under the flashing red stage lights. The joyful piece is followed by a passionate...

HOSA club president and senior Varsha Raju and competitor and senior Joanna Rhim discuss potential test questions and analyze a case study before the forensic science event in Sacramento. Twenty-two out of the 30 members who competed in the regional competition qualified to participate in the State Leadership Conference and eight members qualified for the international level, according to Raju.

HOSA Club Participates in its First Year of In-Person Competitions since the COVID-19 Pandemic

Hannah Ko and Stephanie Hwang | March 30, 2023

Twenty-two members of the Health Occupations Students of America club participated in the Cal-HOSA State Leadership Conference that occurred in Sacramento on March 23-26. Eight competitors (junior Arjit...

Juniors Pranav Patlola, Michael Sun, Atharv Joshi and Nicholas Tan celebrate their advancement to the state level of the National Economics Challenge. The NEC Club members are currently preparing for the State Finals, which will take place on April 11.

National Economics Challenge Club Fosters Competitive Learning Environment

Aditi Salunkhe, Staff Writer | March 29, 2023

Production possibilities curve, cost-benefit analysis and comparative advantages are just some of the complex economics terms you will hear if you enter one of the National Economics Challenge weekly meetings,...

Spending many hours on a phone can lead to harmful effects like anxiety. Reading books allows students to reach a higher level of thinking and benefits them socially, according to NCBI.

Put Down the Phone and Read More Books

Claire Chan, Staff Writer | March 28, 2023

Many students can relate to the experience of using their phones for hours on end just to feel bad afterward about wasting time they could have used on a more productive activity.  Rather than staying...

Indian Classical Dance Brings Dancers Back to Their Ethnic Roots

Madeline Chung, Business Team | March 27, 2023

Hair wreaths adorned with delicate flowers and ghagras embroidered with intricate patterns are just some of the highlights of a typical Indian classical dance performance. These clothing pieces enhance...

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