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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

Local golf courses’ current preference for maximizing profits rather than supporting students has contributed to the struggles the golf teams face this year, including long commutes to games and individual fees for practices.

The “Long Drive Contest”: How Privately-Owned Golf Courses Contribute to Golf Teams’ Struggles

Justin Tang, Back Page Editor | October 22, 2021

Twenty miles. That is the distance between Portola High and the Shorecliffs Golf Club, one of four golf courses that the girls’ golf team has used as its home course this fall. The facility takes students...

Two men walk around the Great Park, showcasing their traditional Korean attire. Korean traditional clothing for males usually consisted of long robes with wide sleeves and a black hat with two flaps on the side.

20th Irvine Global Village Festival Celebrates a Cultural Explosion After One Year Hiatus

Cara Chan and Arshia Sista | October 14, 2021

The City of Irvine hosted its 20th Irvine Global Village Festival at the Great Park on Oct. 9 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m after a one year hiatus due to COVID-19. This year, the event was free of charge. The...

Senior Jamaal Walker belts “Once Upon a December” from Anastasia, which opened on Broadway in 2016 and is based on the 1997 film of the same name.

VAPA Students Step into the ‘Spotlight’ at Lunchtime Performance

Zara Shirwany, Staff Writer | October 12, 2021

The sun blazes above the theatre building; a crowd of excited students gather, eyes fixated on four people standing in the amphitheater. Each of the four individuals - fine arts liaison and senior...

Senior Kristen Fong sings and plays the guitar to “Vienna” by American singer and songwriter Billy Joel. “I was less nervous than I thought I was going to be, but then I got on stage, and then I was like, ‘Okay, keep going, alright,’ and then I immediately forgot the lyrics in the middle of the song,” Fong said. “But I think my recovery was alright.”

First Ever Talent Show Features Diverse Student Talents

Sidra Asif and Celine Lee | October 8, 2021

Controlled in voice and theatrical in movement, senior Jamaal Walker belts out the chorus to “Someone Gets Hurt” from the “Mean Girls” musical, blowing away the audience. A few moments later,...

Sophomore Kaylin Wong rides her electric bike home from school along Irvine Blvd. on Oct. 6. The roadway abuts the Eastern Transportation Corridor Toll Road – the crossing where freshman Shifa Harsolia was hit while cycling home from school on Sept. 10.

Wearing a Helmet Doesn’t Prevent Biking Accidents: Being Defensive Does

While freshman Shifa Harsolia was biking from school on Sept. 10, a distracted driver on Irvine Blvd. crashed into her, knocking her off of the bike. “I was mainly just really shocked because it just...

Cheer team greets the walkers finishing the walk. At the event, first-time participant Martha Carillo expressed her gratitude for the event. 
“It’s a good support group. I learned a lot today already. I was only here for about a half-hour beforehand, and I got great information,” Carillo said. “It’s kinda overwhelming to find out how many people have to deal with it and to see the little kids, you know they’re affected as well if they’re living with their grandparents, and they’re seeing them in that condition.”

Bringing Spirit Beyond Campus: Cheer Supports Community Cause

Bia Shok, Co-News Editor | October 6, 2021

As the iridescent pom-poms catch light under the sun and the drum cadence from marching band providing a tempo, the entirety of the cheer team sports their usual sparkly bows, mid-ponytails and purple-and-white...

Sophomore Noam Garibi shoots the penalty shot on the goal from the 5- meter line during the second quarter. He scored four points in total throughout the game.

Boys’ Water Polo Turns the Tide at Fifth League Game, Defeating Woodbridge High

Martin Yoon, Staff Writer | October 5, 2021

Boys’ water polo (12-3) won 10-9 at its fifth league match on Sept. 29 in the pool against Woodbridge High. Lagging behind with a six-point deficit at the start of third quarter, the Bulldogs scored...

Alumna and assistant JV cheer coach Jaein Kim explored food photography in her sophomore year before transitioning to travel pictures and street photography. “A Little Piece of Seoul” marks a milestone and first step into her photobook publication journey.

Alumna Jaein Kim Snapshots ‘A Little Piece of Seoul’ in Self-Published Photobook

Ryne Dunman, Editor-in-Chief | October 1, 2021

SEOUL, South Korea – A little piece of Seoul. Click. Bustling city streets intertwine throughout Gangnam, congested with traffic and pedestrians. Condos and apartments in Hapjeong-dong stack on...

Rows of students fill out physical sign-up sheets, QR codes and online forms to indicate interest in a club. This way, clubs can follow up with members through email or by creating large group chats and Discord servers.

Clubs ‘Kick Off’ In-Person after a Year of Being Virtual

Arnav Chandan and Arshia Sista | September 29, 2021

After a year and a half of having online club meetings, during Club Kickoff, students gathered in front of the tables as participating clubs advertised themselves to interested members on Sept. 22...

Special education students learn how to use assistive technology tools. Technology in special education classrooms helps teachers better understand the social and emotional needs of their students by teaching them how to use communication applications like Proloquo and Lamp.

Persistent Shortage in Special Education Staff Results in District Vacancies

Arnav Chandan, Staff Writer | September 23, 2021

The statewide special education staff shortage this year can be attributed to some of the stress and challenges associated with teaching special education, according to the California Teachers Association. However,...

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