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

Holocaust Survivor Returns to Tell his Story Amid Rising Antisemitism

Holocaust Survivor Returns to Tell his Story Amid Rising Antisemitism

Nate Taylor, Centerspread & Photo Editor | May 3, 2021

  Author and Holocaust survivor Sam Silberberg met via Zoom call with over 130 social studies students on April 19 to recount his story. During the hour-and-a-half talk, Silberberg described...

Deciding which college to attend is a large milestone during high school. Although it is not the most common choice, choosing to attend community college can provide various benefits financially and mentally.

The Power of Attending Community College Is Underestimated

Clara Ferreira Lopes and Haruka Noda | May 3, 2021

A stigma tends to surround students when first hearing that someone is going to community college, which can become overwhelming for seniors who are committing to colleges. However, students should give...

While on a trip to the United Kingdom, a newly college-graduated Wind Ralston stands on the St. Andrews golf course, which is regarded as the birthplace of golf in the 15th century, according to Guinness World Records.

Wind Ralston: From High School Golf Player to Golf Coach

Ryne Dunman and Jenny Won | April 30, 2021

At first glance, golf may seem like a lonely sport, as each player stands on their own in front of the tee with the vast greens before them. But at Portola High, each golf player has the warmth of coach...

Senior Natalie Yu constructs a prototype of a small mechanical ‘automata box’ during Introduction to Engineering Design, which was first introduced as a course option for the 2020-21 school year. The debut of Principles of Engineering next school year is the second step of a collaborative effort between engineering teacher Anthony Pham, principal John Pehrson and IUSD’s ROP/CTE division to create an engineering pathway for Portola High students.

New Engineering Course Builds Framework for Hands-On Learning

Justin Tang, Staff Writer | April 29, 2021

For the 2021-22 school year, Portola High plans to offer a new science elective: Principles of Engineering.  The technical class, designed to build upon the existing Introduction to Engineering Design...

Right forward and junior Krista Calkins uses her body to protect the ball from the Vaqueros’ defender with hopes of finding another forward to drive it up the field. Calkins was substituted in for Song in the last seven minutes of the half.

Girls’ Soccer Scores Victory and Redemption against the Vaqueros

Claudia Lin, Co-News Editor | April 29, 2021

Girls’ soccer (3-4-1) won 1-0 in the stadium against Irvine High on April 20, following a tough loss against University High on April 16. Their next game is scheduled against Northwood High at 3:15...

From haikus to free verse, poetry has the ability to touch our hearts by directly addressing the emotions that are difficult to properly explain.

A ‘Love Letter’ to Poetry

Charlotte Cao, News Editor | April 28, 2021

Like satin, the syllables slip off of structured stanzas, stumbling then settling into the softened recesses of my heart. I swallow, and then this art, this poem, plummets, like stone, like a cherry pit,...

Juniors Sriya Boppana and Jessica Kim participated in Club-a-Palooza by viewing the posters around the school from the 600 building. Pictured below them are club posters for the Make a Wish and PHS Surfrider Clubs, which included QR codes for prospective members to find more information online about how to join.

ASB Hosts Annual Club-a-Palooza Event without In-Person Activities

Kate Hayashi and Ryne Dunman | April 27, 2021

ASB held its annual Club-a-Palooza spirit event on April 19-23 as an opportunity for clubs to attract new members and share their achievements over the past school year. No in-person activities or gatherings...

Online classes do not offer social interaction for students who may need it for a better high school experience.

Students Should Consider The Benefits of Traditional Instruction Model

Sidra Asif, Staff Writer | April 27, 2021

After a year of learners experiencing online school in the hybrid, blended or Irvine Virtual Academy models, IUSD will offer students the opportunity to attend in-person school five days a week for full...

“Fearless (Taylor’s Version)” features old and new collaborations with artists Colbie Caillat, Maren Morris and Keith Urban. Caillat described working with Swift once more as “an instant yes,” according to Insider.

Taylor Swift’s ‘Fearless’ Re-Recordings Symbolize Reclamation

Claudia Lin and Ariana Wu | April 26, 2021

It is 2008. Your curly hair is tucked into messy pigtails, your wrist is wrapped in hundreds of vibrantly colored Silly Bandz, and you are just recovering from the latest release of “High School Musical...

Students often share the fears that they will get rejected from their dream school, they will not know what major to choose or they will eventually grow to dislike the university they commit to, according to Challenge Success. These internalized feelings may unconsciously start to appear on the surface when people make hurtful comments.

Party vs. Pretentious: The Dangers of College Perceptions

Ava Caleca, Media Director | April 23, 2021

Photos of seniors proudly wearing their future university hoodies and posing in front of their campuses are popping up all over Instagram. Clicking on the comments section, phrases such as “That’s...

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