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
Health assistant Mike Byer organizes student files at the health office. On their fifth day of quarantine, students can take a rapid COVID-19 test. If the results are negative, they may return in-person the next school day; however, if the results are positive, they must stay home the full duration of their 14-day quarantine, according to school nurse James Matejcek.

‘Will IUSD Close Schools? Will Winter Formal be Cancelled?’ – Answering Your COVID-19 Questions

Ryne Dunman and Kayla Moshayedi | January 19, 2022

Portola High reported 77 current confirmed cases of COVID-19 in students and 18 current confirmed cases in staff members on Jan. 12, according to the IUSD COVID-19 dashboard. Principal John Pehrson and...

Delegates from Portola High’s DECA chapter don their various medals after concluding the awards ceremony. “All of us were finalists, not everyone got awards but we all got a little pin that we got to put on,” Janolkar said. “I was very proud of Portola because a lot of us didn't know what we were getting into and I think Portola did really good.”

All Portola High Student Enterprisers Place as Finalists at DECA Conference For First Time in School History

Tyler Kim, Staff Writer | January 13, 2022

All 15 competing Portola High student delegates placed as finalists at the in-person 2022 SoCal District Career Development Conference on Jan. 8. California Distributive Education Clubs of America...

Betty White attends the red carpet ceremony at the 40th Primetime Emmy Awards in 1988. White won several Primetime Emmy awards as an actress, some of which were for “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” (1975, 1976) and “The Golden Girls” (1986).

Idolized Actress and ‘Golden Girl’ Betty White Dead at 99

Aadi Mehta, Staff Writer | January 13, 2022

She was wholesome, lively, sweet, generous and most of all golden. Her presence was uplifting and charming, and her heart was always filled with passion and good character. The woman who transformed television...

On a trip back to Ohio in 2021, sophomore Rory Miller hugs her best friend Ursuline Academy sophomore Gwenny Hesketh, who she has not seen in over six months. Miller had attended Ursuline Academy while living in Ohio.

Sophomore Rory Miller ‘Globetrots’ Around the World

Kayleen Kim, Staff Writer | January 12, 2022

Sophomore Rory Miller is always on the move – and not just between classrooms.  Miller has moved a total of four times internationally. She was born in Terneuzen, Netherlands in 2006; migrated to...

With the return of many Sony franchise villains such as Green Goblin, Electro and Dr. Otto Octavius, it was difficult to understand the role that many of them played. Only a select few played a major position, while others such as the Lizard were present for the sole purpose of fan service. Condensing the movie to a select villain with a strong motive would be a better decision for the overall plot.

‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ is a Tangled Web of Nostalgia

Dheeksha Bhima Reddy and Cara Chan | January 11, 2022

The following review contains spoilers.  “If you expect disappointment, then you can never really be disappointed.” This motto is repeated throughout the movie by Michelle Jones-Watson (Zendaya);...

Creating a more LGBTQ+ inclusive environment can be as simple as using someone’s preferred pronouns, avoiding the use of derogatory language or refraining from referring to someone by their deadname. “You could educate yourself. It doesn't have to be full-on like research, but just being aware,” a sophomore who would like to remain anonymous said.

Homophobia Is Not Making Anyone Less Gay

Shaina Taebi and Tara Vatandoust | January 11, 2022

“That’s so gay.” It is a phrase thrown around in daily conversations – yet it carries a meaning far more belittling for LGBTQ+ individuals. This phrase is just one example of the homophobia many...

The Roller Hockey Club competed for the first time on Oct. 24 at The Rinks Irvine Inline against Edison High School.

Inline to Outpace the Competition

Charlotte Cao and Lauren Hsu | January 10, 2022

Gliding. From an outsider’s perspective, that is what roller hockey players do as they dash across the rink, hockey sticks scrabbling against each other. This year, freshman Wyly Chen and juniors...

Jeanne Jelnick, a retired teacher and beloved member of the Portola High community, reminisces on her time at Portola High while shifting focus to writing and theatre.

Momma J: Where is She Now?

Zara Shirwany and Michelle Kim | January 7, 2022

Jeanne Jelnick, affectionately known as “Momma J,” retired in July 2020 after teaching literature at Portola High since its inaugural year, as well as briefly leading the theatre department. While...

Symphonic Orchestra unites with Portola Singers on stage to perform George Frideric Handel’s “Sinfonia” and “For Unto Us A Child Is Born.” “[Choir] had invited us to play at their concert last week, and so this is sort of a reciprocal thing where they’re going to come and sing with us at our concert,” instrumental music teacher Desmond Stevens said.

Annual Winter Instrumental Concert Sweetens Holiday Cheer

Arnav Chandan, Staff Writer | January 5, 2022

The theater lights dim as the soft, soothing tunes of the ensembles replace the stillness of the audience,  engulfing the theater in mystery and wonder. What could possibly be sweeter than starting the...

Marisa Wilkerson stands in front of the U.S. Capitol Building during 2017 when she moved to Washington, D.C. for her internship with an interest group during college.

Social Studies Teacher Turns Political Advocacy to Teaching Political Literacy

Bia Shok, Co-News Editor | January 3, 2022

What images do you think of when thinking of the word “politics”? For many, it could be juxtaposing images of colliding reds and blues, yelling, arguing and mudslinging campaign videos cycling around...

Portobellas choir performs an a cappella rendition of “Carol of the Bells” by Pentatonix. An a cappella performance is a special type of polyphonic singing that does not involve any musical accompaniment.

Choir Students Upraise the ‘Spirit of the Season’ in Annual Winter Vocal Concert

Arnav Chandan and Aadi Mehta | December 16, 2021

Students, parents and teachers cluster closely with one another outside the front entrance of the theater, merrily cheering and singing along as performers conduct special caroling performances of jovial...

Attracting many students to the lunch performance event in the beginning of lunch, ASB president and senior Amitoj Singh sings “thank you, next” by Ariana Grande. He sings while the orchestra, band, and choir members get set up to perform right after.

Fine Arts Lunch Performance ‘Rapped’ up the Semester with Holiday Tunes

Kayleen Kim and Ryan Jung | December 16, 2021

Choir and orchestra ensembles played holiday and pop tunes at the lunchtime fine arts performance on Dec. 10 in front of the dance building, offering a sneak peek of the ‘Spirit of the Seasons’...

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