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 Danae Dang carefully pours molten wax into a jar. Careful attention to detail – in this instance a slow, steady pour to ensure that no stray bubbles form – is necessary to achieve a satisfactory final product, according to media technician Amanda Cramer.

Waxing Poetic: Students Pour Homemade Candles in First Makerspace Session

Tyler Kim and Aditi Salunkhe | October 27, 2022

For most students, the fall season means the return of 70 degree weather, knit sweaters and a new academic cycle. While most of campus is settling into the usual school routine, the Learning Commons has...

While society often perceives trick-or-treating as a tradition reserved for younger children, teenagers can have great enjoyment from the festivities. Many people try to hand out extra candy to teenagers to encourage them to hold on to their childhood, according to Spanish teacher Kari Tubbs.

Trick-or-Treating Is Not Less Sweet as a High Schooler

Mia Jong and Tara Vatandoust | October 26, 2022

The wind whips and jack-o-lanterns glow as tiny ghosts and witches meander through the neighborhoods, following the aroma of candy. For many, a point comes in their lives when they feel too old to ring...

Fall into Autumn at the Homecoming Pep Rally

Fall into Autumn at the Homecoming Pep Rally

Gwyneth Yung, Staff Writer | October 24, 2022

Ambassador and senior Aslesha Chandra listens as senior and transfer Thomas Bittencourt explains his transfer journey to Portola High. “It's complicated; it was pretty worrying,” Bittencourt said. “This isn’t speaking on the ambassador program. It's just like moving from state to state getting unpacked and probably one of the biggest worries for me would be GPA transferring.”

Portola Ambassadors Provides a Helping Hand to New Transfer Students

Jana Malek and Gwyneth Yung | October 24, 2022

Whether it is a new school, city, state or country, adjusting to a new environment can be difficult without assistance. The Portola Ambassadors program has helped transfer students adjust to new surroundings.  Over...

The first season of the show “Gilmore Girls” and the films “Good Will Hunting” and “Fantastic Mr. Fox” are all set during the autumn season.

Grab a Blanket and a Pumpkin Latte: Listing the Best Fall Comfort Entertainment

Sidra Asif, Back Page Editor | October 24, 2022

If you enjoy the comforts associated with fall — pumpkin spice, blankets, hot chocolate and binge-watching entertainment for hours, consider these movies and TV show recommendations, ranked in no particular...

Fans of serial killers will send love and support to their idols, while the victims’ loved ones are trying to grieve.

Romanticizing Serial Killers Harms the Victims

Maitri Allani, Photo Editor | October 21, 2022

You may have a favorite celebrity. These celebrities might be your favorite musician, actor or influencer. You may send them fanmail, which they may read in the comfort of their own homes. You may support...

The Black Student Union club puts up a booth during club kickoff on Sept. 21. “When I first came to Portola, I was looking for clubs to join, and I looked at the club list to be a part of something and have a group of people to relate to,” club secretary and senior Jesulayomi Bello said. “I heard they were starting a Black Student Union, and I thought that it would be a lovely way for me to be a part of it.”

First Black Student Union Club on Campus Represents Black Joy and Perseverance

Sidra Asif and Claire Chan | October 20, 2022

Cultural enclaves offer support and union within any environment. Portola High’s population is only 1.2% Black, according to U.S. News, making the first Black Student Union club on campus a remarkable...

Junior Cindy Mei plays a guzheng with her performance group from the Lotus Bud Guzheng Academy. They use guitar picks to pluck the strings and incorporate various techniques seen in other string instruments such as the vibrato, according to Mei. “It's just kind of our tradition,” Mei said. “It's just a great time to perform and hang out at the Global Village Festival afterwards with the rest of my ensemble.”

Volunteers at the 21st Annual Irvine Global Village Festival Facilitate Cultural Activities

Aditi Salunkhe, Staff Writer | October 20, 2022

Thousands of Irvine residents celebrated the city’s 21st annual Global Village Festival on Oct. 8-9 at the Great Park. The two-day event featured music, performances and activities honoring cultures...

During his time at Portola High, mental health specialist Steven Sturm has been a part of school-wide initiatives promoting positive mental health and suicide prevention, while also meeting with individual students in need of mental health support. “I just want to leave an impact on people and help them if they're struggling,” Sturm said. “And that's really what I've developed my career around. And that's what I want to do wherever I go.”

Reflecting and Reminiscing: A Parting Q&A with Mental Health Specialist Steven Sturm

Celine Lee, Co-Editor-in-Chief | October 19, 2022

For mental health specialist Steven Sturm, Oct. 21 will mark the last day of working at Portola High before taking on his new job as an online therapist for young adults with a part of a company employee...

To start off the night of harmonies enlaced with themes of social justice, Canta Bella performed the song “Waiting for the World to Change,” which encapsulated the ways of facing hardships throughout history.

We Are The World: Choir Sings the Past and Present to Call For Social Justice in Fall Vocal Concert

Dheeksha Bhima Reddy and Michael Sun | October 19, 2022

Eloquent poetry and the familiar melody of myriad student voices fill the theater this fall for choir’s “We Are The World” fall vocal concert, which took place on Oct. 5. Highlighting the theme of...

Upcoming College Deadlines

Upcoming College Deadlines

Arshia Sista, Front Page Editor | October 18, 2022

Seniors Rishabh Bajaj, Xasive Espinosa Aldave and Caroline Wang tape posters to the ground in celebration of Homecoming. Spirit Night was inspired by University High’s tradition, according to ASB co-adviser Kate Avery.

First Homecoming Spirit Night Begins Week-Long Homecoming Festivities

Cara Chan and Madeline Chung | October 17, 2022

The first Homecoming Spirit Night on Oct. 10 kicked off a week-long celebration leading up to Homecoming on Oct. 15. Students volunteered to decorate the campus inspired by this year’s horror movie Homecoming...

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