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

Turning to a New Page: What will 2021 Bring?

Turning to a New Page: What will 2021 Bring?

Jaein Kim and Bia Shok | February 4, 2021

The Portola Pioneer is the official news and culture podcast of the Portola Pilot, aiming to foster a sense of community and provide a unique storytelling medium to its listeners.  In this episode,...

Now that the COVID-19 vaccine is authorized for distribution, many myths are circulating about what vaccine, some  are going as far as to say that the COVID-19 vaccine could cause potential harm. In a world devastated by the pandemic, what information is accurate?

COVID-19 Vaccine Myths Debunked

Sidra Asif, Staff Writer | February 3, 2021

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued the first emergency vaccine distribution on Dec. 11, 2020. As of Feb. 1, 26.5 million Americans have received one or both doses of the current vaccines,...

Pictured in September 2010, Madeline and her husband Jason Greenwood eat sundubu-jjigae at her favorite restaurant in Wonju, South Korea. Greenwood keeps in touch with some of her Korean co-workers and students she worked with while she was an ESL teacher at a middle school. “Im Facebook friends with some of the students that were 13 when I taught them,” Greenwood said. “Its almost ten years ago now, and they’re 23, and they graduated college. It’s so fun to see them.”

Teachers who Lived Abroad: Madeline Greenwood’s Journey Travelling, Learning and Teaching in Italy and Korea

Celine Lee and Dheeksha Bhima Reddy | February 3, 2021

Whether she was surrounded by the medieval brick buildings and gothic 14th-century architecture of Italy or the modern skyscrapers and high-tech lifestyle of South Korea, literary and language arts teacher...

The cast of Cinderella practice their lines during after school rehearsals while sharing a fun moment. Despite the long and oftentimes stressful hours, the actors work together and stay committed to perfect their performance.

How Theater Students Build a Musical

Haruka Noda, Social Media and Marketing Team | February 2, 2021

The school musical is the center of conversations among students in the spring, and creating it is no easy process. Producing a musical is a nearly yearlong development that starts immediately after the...

Coach Brendan Murphy says that as a fiction-lover and a fan of “Star Wars” and “The Lord of the Rings,” the sword-like movements of lacrosse featured attracted him to the sport more than others.

New Boys’ Lacrosse Coach Brendan Murphy Steps in Strong with Passion and Dedication

Bia Shok, Features Editor | February 2, 2021

A passionate athlete and avid hobby-pursuer, Brendan Murphy joined the boys’ varsity lacrosse team as a coach and the junior varsity team as a temporary coach in December 2020. Since his move to California...

Emily Competes with cheer at United Spirit Association Nationals in February 2020. “Watching the competitive cheer programs are really fun,” Emily Wei’s mom, Jennifer Wei, said. “Theyre just really exciting. Theyre kind of like ice skating, you know, its like they do all this practice, and then its like two minutes - they perform their routine.”

Emily Wei at the Front of the Formation

Krisha Konchadi, Front Page Editor | February 1, 2021

For the last couple of years, the cheer team has placed at USA Nationals and CIF. Apart from competitions, pep rallies and sidelines, varsity cheer captain and senior Emily Wei has always shone through...

After almost five months of training, cross country will have its first dual meet against Woodbridge High on Feb. 6. “Our philosophy’s been ‘running with PRIDE’ since day one,” cross country head coach Victor Quiros said. “It’s about building character: to prioritize values and time management, to be able to balance personal life, athletics and everything that’s important to you.”

Running with Pride

Jaein Kim, Director of Photography | February 1, 2021

Traditional cross country season occurs in early August until the first week of March. This year, the season is scheduled to begin on Feb. 6 with six dual-meets every Saturday until March 20. Until...

Alex and Ethan Zhang are in charge of the stock trading sect within the Finance and Stock Trading Club. Activities center around discussion of stock trading and new trends in the market.

Ethan and Alex Zhang Indulge in Stock Trading

Erin Choi, Managing Editor | February 1, 2021

Ethan and Alex huddle around a computer monitor, calculators and pencils in hand. A green graph is projected on screen, but it isn’t for math class: they’re actually tracking recent spikes in Gamestop’s...

Though students focus on the distinction between online and in-person summer programs this year is founded on a variety of concerns, they should not lose sight of the undoubtedly positive experiences that all types of summer programs, whether virtual or physical, bring to the table, including insights offered by mentors and college-level expansion upon typical high school curricula.

Let Interests, Not Logistics, Guide Summer Program Selections

Justin Tang, Staff Writer | February 1, 2021

With many prestigious summer programs just beginning to open applications for 2021, students face the arduous task of evaluating which learning experience to expect upon summer's arrival. Though well-known...

The COVID-19 pandemic has only served to exacerbate socioeconomic disadvantages for students, as was made clear by last years AP testing missteps. As AP season approaches in May, measures must be taken to ensure that external impacts on students performances from slow Internet connections, disabilities, or family responsibilities are minimized.

Equity Remains Key to 2021 AP Testing

Emma Haag and Justin Tang | January 29, 2021

With the College Board discontinuing SAT Subject Tests on Jan. 19, students' means of demonstrating their academic strengths have undergone a permanent shift towards other factors, among them the Advanced...

 One of Youth Action Team’s first at-home projects was an online summer volunteer camp that allowed YAT members to hear from other non-profits like Big Brother Big Sister and Hearts2Heroes and to assist them with other projects, like making care packages.

Student Volunteers Lend a Helping Hand from Home

Clara Ferreira Lopes and Zara Shirwany | January 29, 2021

In the ongoing pandemic, traditional volunteering seems inaccessible with the implementation of social distancing. Several programs at Portola High have adjusted to fit the need for virtual volunteer opportunities. One...

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