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
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...

Red lanterns hang in the air to represent the celebration of the Lunar New Year. Now that Lunar New Year is recognized as an optional state holiday, workers are granted eight hours of free time to celebrate.

Newsom Passes Bill That Recognizes Lunar New Year as State Holiday

Claire Chan, Staff Writer | October 14, 2022

Lunar New Year is now being recognized as a California state holiday. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 2596 on Sept. 29 to represent the diverse communities that currently reside in California.  Many...

New Assistant Principal is Full of Bulldog PRIDE for his New Job

New Assistant Principal is Full of Bulldog PRIDE for his New Job

Tara Vatandoust, A&E Editor | October 12, 2022

Portola High is a campus of leaders. From student advocates to teachers who start initiatives for better educational opportunities, every corner of campus has something special to offer. For new assistant...

Mental health specialist Maureen Muir plans upcoming activities to grow her LGBTQ+ community support group to be district-wide. “There's a lot of ways that this position can expand, and I'm really excited,” Muir said. “I'm so grateful to have been given this opportunity for this position.”

Mental Health Specialist Maureen Muir Leaves Portola for a New District Job

Aditi Salunkhe, Staff Writer | October 11, 2022

After seven years of counseling at Portola High, mental health specialist Maureen Muir officially moved to the IUSD district office on Sept. 26 for a new job focusing on LGBTQ+ community support. During...

Portola’s New Student Teachers Arrive on Campus

Portola’s New Student Teachers Arrive on Campus

Tyler Kim and Aditi Salunkhe | October 6, 2022

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