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

S4 Episode 03: Breaking the STEM Ceiling: Women Who Are Redefining Science

S4 Episode 03: Breaking the STEM Ceiling: Women Who Are Redefining Science

Kayleen Kim and Aditi Salunkhe | February 12, 2024

In honor of International Day of Women and Girls in Science, co-hosts Kayleen Kim and Aditi Salunkhe delve into the theme of empowering women in STEM during this episode of the Portola Pioneer. Join...

Academic Decathlon Scholastic participants compete in the Super Quiz at Westminster High on Feb. 3. Students wave flags to signify they got the correct answer to their teams cheering on the bleachers. “This really forces you to celebrate when other people know things, and that should be exciting for everyone,” Academic Decathlon coach Eric Graham said.

Academic Decathlon Teams Up for County-Wide Competition

Camille Clement | February 12, 2024

Portola High students competed in the Orange County Academic Decathlon Objective Testing and Super Quiz at Westminster High on Feb. 3. Academic Decathlon members from 34 high schools took 30 minute tests...

Irvine High student and under-secretary-general Eshika Abbaraju, secretary-generals junior Ruhi Samudra and senior Kayleen Kim and Irvine High student and under-secretary-general Ishaan Gaikwad speak at the opening ceremony. “Kayleen, for example, shes been in MUN since freshman year,” Wi said. “Ive been with her every step of the way every single year. Its just it makes me really happy for her that she can leave Portola knowing that shes helped start this tradition. And ever since I met Ruhi in MUN, shes just the person who gets things done and gets things done really well, but she will take absolutely no credit for it and wants no attention for it, and I just love those types of people.”

MUN Hosts First Conference in Collaboration with Irvine High

Maya Tedini, Opinion Editor | February 8, 2024

Model United Nations (MUN) hosted Portola High’s inaugural MUN Conference on Feb. 3 and won four awards. Freshman Morgan Liaw won a commendation award in the Novice World Health Organization (WHO)...

“Percy Jackson and the Olympians” premiered on Dec. 19, releasing weekly episodes until Jan. 30. The series is incredibly faithful to the book, only having subtle changes to accommodate for the pacing of a TV show. To ensure a seamless adaptation, Rick Riordan, the author of the books, was an executive producer and had unique input for how his writing would translate to the screen, according to Disney+.

Disney’s ‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’ Delivers a Mythical Marvel

Olivia Ganes and Mia Jong | February 7, 2024

“Percy Jackson and the Olympians” is a lightning bolt of excitement for Disney+ and Hulu viewers alike, proving that Greek myths from more than 2,700 years ago and family drama are a binge-worthy combination....

Junior Bianca Morrell ‘Runs,’ ‘Pitches,’ ‘Shoots’ and ‘Swims’  to New Heights

Junior Bianca Morrell ‘Runs,’ ‘Pitches,’ ‘Shoots’ and ‘Swims’ to New Heights

Stephanie Hwang | February 7, 2024

Whether she is batting the ball, sprinting across the track or shooting a basketball, junior Bianca Morrell can do it all. While Morrell is currently playing water polo this season, she has also...

Portola Pep Squad’s competition team poses after the CIF competition. The team felt it was important to boost their energy when entering the competition. “We just made sure that the energy was up and that everyone was like, ‘No matter what, were excited to be here, and were excited to compete for this team,’” co-captain, flier and senior Gabriela Sarabosing said. “And whatever happens, happens as long as we know that were putting in our best.”

Portola Pep Squad Goes ‘Full Out’ at CIF State Competition

Shaina Taebi | February 5, 2024

Portola Pep Squad placed fourth out of 15 teams at the CIF state competition in Riverside, CA on Jan. 21. Preparation for the competition began in October, according to Coach Michele Correll. After tryouts,...

Junior Yash Malani accepts the first-place award at the IUSD Science and Engineering Fair. “It feels like we accomplished a lot,” Malani said. “It got me looking into the possibility of robotics and the hardware part of computers.”

Portola High Students Win High Honors at 2024 IUSD Science Fair

Mary Lee and Aditi Salunkhe | February 5, 2024

*Correction: Feb. 15, 2024 Multiple Portola High students placed first at the IUSD Science Fair. All Portola High students who placed first are seniors Haaris Alam and Elise Ngo, juniors Ashley Cao,...

“Mean Girls features a brand new cast based on the 2004 film and the 2017 musical of the same name.  Avantika, Reneé Rapp and Bebe Wood play the famed trio of Karen Shetty, Regina George and Gretchen Wieners who rule the “girl world” of North Shore High School.

‘Mean Girls’ is Far From Fetch

Elise Ngo, Features Editor | February 1, 2024

From stage to screen, the movie adaptations of beloved musicals from the 20th century to today are celebrated across the globe. Movie musicals transform soulful vocals and captivating choreography into...

Math teacher Samantha Zimmerle celebrates with her family. “My dad is a teacher, so I always saw him just being so in love with his job,” Zimmerle said. “So just seeing him love that and me being good at math it was kind of just always where I was going to go.”

Math Teacher Samantha Zimmerle Stands Out in the ‘Equation’ as IUSD Teacher of Promise

Tyler Kim and Ruhi Samudra | January 31, 2024

Math teacher Samantha Zimmerle received the Irvine Unified School District (IUSD) high school Teacher of Promise award on Jan. 17, recognizing her dedication to teaching and demonstration of potential...

Portola High alumnus and Calvin University junior Josh Steinberg celebrates with teammate Charlie Trey-Masters after winning gold at the 2023 Pan American Maccabi Games in an open men’s 3v3 basketball tournament in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Portola High Alumnus Josh Steinberg Finds the ‘Key’ to Success Through Basketball

Camille Clement and Maya Tedini | January 29, 2024

Only 3% of high school basketball players go on to play men’s NCAA basketball. Portola High alumnus and Calvin University junior Josh Steinberg took his basketball career to the next level after graduating...

Defensive center midfielder, captain and senior Jaydn Kohan kicks the ball to the other side of the field for her teammates to receive. “I think it was a fair result, but I also thought we had a chance to win if we got one or two of the chances that we had,” head girls’ soccer coach Joshua Stringer said. “Our goal was to kind of counter into the space that we created by defending a little bit farther back in the field.”

Girl’s Soccer Puts Up a Valiant Effort Against Northwood High

Claire Chan and Maitri Allani | January 26, 2024

Girls’ soccer (1-10-1) lost their recent home game against Northwood High on Jan. 12. The team is looking forward to improving their skills at their next away game on Jan. 30 against Northwood High. Twelve...

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