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
Gardening for Good member and junior Kate Shin and junior and co-president Chloe Shin plant succulents together, marking the creation of the club’s first garden. Through activities like these, the club has formed a close and connected atmosphere. “We really care about creating a really inclusive community where every single person in the club is super connected and really interested in gardening,” Chloe Shin said.

Gardening for Good Cultivates Community at Portola High

Kelly Yeh, Assistant News Editor | March 7, 2025

Founded in the 2023-24 school  year, the Gardening for Good club started as a small group of students who shared a love for plants. Now, they have brought their passion to life, creating their first mini...

Woodbury Elementary Science Olympiad head coach and freshman Smriti Mishra poses with her Science Olympiad team after the Sierra Vista Invitational where the team placed fifth. “I was inspired by my sister who was a coach at Jeffrey Trail and at Woodbury as well,” Mishra said. “And then I became the coach at Woodbury, so I got inspired by looking up to my peers as well as looking at the older kids around me.”

Medal-Worthy Mentorship: Science Olympiad Students Train the Next Generation

Nina Krish, Sports Editor | March 6, 2025

In the midst of competition season Science Olympiad students train weekly, not just striving for medals but also shaping the next team entering Portola High.  In 2024, sophomore Ansh Gosain founded...

Taste Testing Around The World: Trying International Snacks

Taste Testing Around The World: Trying International Snacks

Olivia Ganes and Nina Krish | March 5, 2025

Torpis decorates a ceramic piece. “Since they've used almost all of the glazes in the classroom, I make test tiles as well for the kids so they know what it looks like,” Torpis said. “I'll show them different pieces I've made or different test tiles I've made, so they can see it and feel it, and they understand what it looks like.”

Class Act: Student TAs Support Classrooms

Marianne Chan and Mary Lee | March 4, 2025

Whether they're organizing student work, assisting with classroom activities, or stepping in when a teacher is unavailable, teacher’s assistants at Portola High take on responsibilities that offer...

Senior Ana Girnita and freshman Sonja Rajkovic represent the Eastern European and Balkan Heritage Club during the cultural club fair at lunch. Unlike other cultural clubs, the club covers a vast array of regions, including the Caucuses, Baltic States and central Europe. Members who are close to their Eastern European roots have found a home through the first-year club, inspiring their decision to showcase at Intercultural Week, according to Girnita. “It’s just a great opportunity for students to participate and engage with different cultures,” Girnita said. “The most enriching experiences I’ve had are international programs where I’ve gotten to meet students from all over the world, and I feel like just sharing that part of ourselves allows for a lot of self-expression and also just improves our understanding of the world around us.”

Intercultural Week Showcases the Rich Tapestry of Portola High’s Cultural Community

Suhana Kaur, Staff Writer | March 3, 2025

Every year on Presidents’ Day, a few celebrated American presidents come to mind: Abraham Lincoln, George Washington and Franklin D. Roosevelt, for example. Yet, despite the differences in every president’s administration, a few things make some especially celebrated. “I think the presidents that stand out as being really important throughout history all have charismatic personalities,” social studies teacher Taryn Sorrentino said. “I think they appeal to large groups of people. I think they portray a willingness to help people and I think they portray a sense of home to the American people, especially during times of hardship or distress.”

A Lookback on Presidents’ Day: Who are Portola High’s Favorite Presidents?

Claire Liu, Back Page Editor | February 28, 2025

The third Monday of every February is Presidents’ Day, established in 1880 for Washington’s Birthday, Feb. 22. Since 1971, however, the federal holiday has been recognized as a celebration of all presidents.  This...

Swimmer and junior Blayze Borroto, volleyball player and senior Ethan Hamiprodjo, tennis player and freshman Garran McKay and track and field athlete and junior Tiffany Chu each employ a go-to song that supports their level-headedness and mindfulness before their matches, meets or games.

Spring Sports Athletes Find their ‘Rhythm’ with their Favorite Pre-Game Hype Songs

Maya Tedini, Co-Editor-in-Chief | February 28, 2025

As the clock counts down and athletes fasten gear while the game, match or meet approaches its start, many athletes turn to music as their final pre-game boost. Whether it is a nostalgic hit or upbeat...

Though Galentine’s Day isn’t a holiday senior Renee Tan usually celebrates, she and her friends decked out in everything girly for an aesthetic Galentine’s party this year. “We baked heart shaped pizzas, baked some cookies and goods too,” Tan said. “Other people brought sugar cookies and cupcakes.”

Gals Over Pals: Bulldogs Celebrate Galentine’s Day

Dania Yamani, Staff Writer | February 28, 2025

Photos and videos of Galentine’s party themes and setups had filled the internet in the weeks leading up to the holiday, with influencers sharing decorations, themed desserts and everything you needed...

In celebration of Peanuts' 75th Anniversary, Knott's Berry Farm debuts the new musical “Let’s Celebrate!” on the Calico Mine Stage. The daytime show features singers, dancers, and the beloved Peanuts gang characters.

Knotts Berry farm Celebrates the 75th Birthday of Snoopy and the Gang

Annie Xiao, Staff Writer | February 28, 2025

In honor of the 75th Anniversary of the beloved Peanuts franchise, Snoopy and the Peanuts Gang will return to Knott’s Berry Farm on weekends from Feb. 8 to March 9. The 75th-anniversary celebration...

Samantha Zimmerle poses for a photo with her high school sweetheart in the present and during their high school spirit week. “We went to the same middle school, and we were in core classes together," Zimmerle said. "We did all six classes for six years during middle school together, so we've been together for ten years. This is gonna be our eleventh. We started dating in February of 2014.” Zimmerle said.

Three Teachers’ Love Stood the Test of Time, From High School to Now

Kailyn Clark, Staff Writer | February 27, 2025

During high school, many relationships often come and go; there are rare stories of them being able to withstand the pressures and struggles of being a teenager. Fortunately for three teachers at Portola...

Sophomore Karly Chokry prefers Samsung’s flexibility, from its high-quality zoom feature to the ability to mix and match accessories, making it the perfect fit for her lifestyle.

‘Zooming’ Into the Features That Keep Select Bulldogs Loyal to Non-Apple Devices

Alice Ahn, A&E Editor | February 26, 2025

You start a group chat for a project, but a green bubble pops up — someone has a Samsung. While Apple reigns majority at Portola High, junior Suhaila Brundavanam, sophomore Karly Chokry and social studies...

Members of the National Ethics Bowl Club compete at the Southern California Regional High School Ethics Bowl at Chapman University. “When we’re in competition season, meetings become a lot more structured and focused, though things still have a tendency to get a bit chaotic sometimes,” president and junior Moses An said. “It’s a collaborative process, and we put a lot of focus on teamwork.”

National Ethics Bowl Club Discusses the Difficult Questions of Life

Stephanie Hwang and Claire Liu | February 25, 2025

Is it immoral or unjust for states to make it illegal for teachers to strike? To what extent should public opinion influence policy making in biotechnology? These are some of the questions that members...

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