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
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...

Families and friends gather to enjoy the music and entertainment in the main area of the event, “I think the best part is the fact that families and students get to come,” Rodriguez said. “They get to ride around and spend time with either their families or their friends. I think that's really cool.”

Irvine Annual Street Shutdown Brings The Community Together

Nicole Ferguson, Staff Writer | May 13, 2025

The second Irvine Annual Street Shutdown on May 3 closed Campus Drive and University drive from 11am to 4pm, working to connect the community through a celebration of local businesses and art. The event...

To stay motivated while studying, junior Emma Saighani-Mirbaz takes breaks after each unit block she reviews. “This helps prevent burnout and makes it easier to focus, whereas a four-hour session would likely decrease your efficiency,” Saighani-Mirbaz said.

A Look Into How Bulldogs Are Preparing For Their AP Exams

Nicole Lu, Staff Writer | May 13, 2025

With Advanced Placement (AP) exam testing in full swing, students prepare to tackle two weeks of rigorous exams. For many, this means weeks of preparation and countless hours of review to master everything...

Freshman Isaac Chhiv hits a powerful forehand during practice. As one of the only two freshmen on the varsity team, Chhiv brings the energy and competitiveness needed to succeed in higher levels, while simultaneously training for consistency in skill during matches, according to head coach Natasha Schottland. “I've really appreciated seeing that growth from Isaac,” Schottland said. “There are a lot of boys who are at his level or higher, and allowing him to have that competitiveness with them is really important for his growth.”

Meet Freshmen Garran McKay and Isaac Chhiv, the Latest Rising Stars of Boys’ Tennis

Annie Xiao and Suhana Kaur | May 13, 2025

Ranked D1 champions in 2023, Portola High’s boys’ varsity tennis team is at the top of the pack — and this season, two standout freshmen, Isaac Chhiv and Garran McKay, have broken through the...

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