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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

The James A. Musick Facility in Irvine was affected by the court’s order to release incarcerated people accused of low-level crimes. The order was a part of a larger effort to combat the jail outbreak of COVID-19 that spiked in January. The decline in cases came after several lengthy court hearings to urge releases. Several public activists as well as the judge involved with the case recently spoke out against Sheriff Don Barnes’ noncompliance with the order.

Sheriff’s Initial Response to COVID-19 Jail Outbreak Sparks Backlash

Nate Taylor | February 24, 2021

Over the past month, the initial 1,000 positive cases of COVID-19 within jails dropped down to 13 positives with about 27 pending tests, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. Despite the...

Portola's Girl Scout Cookie Favorites

Portola’s Girl Scout Cookie Favorites

Sidra Asif, Staff Writer | February 24, 2021

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and former President Donald Trump, two of the most prominent politicians who have been idolized, regularly used social media sites like Twitter to communicate with their constituents, according to the Washington Post. These interactions lend themselves to the creation of online personas that attract Americans.

American Politicians should not be American Idols

Charlotte Cao and Claudia Lin | February 23, 2021

Scrolling through social media, it is not difficult to find video compilations of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez playing “Among Us” with famous Twitch streamers or memes featuring Sen. Bernie Sanders....

According to sophomore Ellie Lian, “I, Too” by Langston Hughes introduced her to the Black artistic world of the early 1900s, supplementing her study of “Their Eyes Were Watching God” By Zora Neale Hurston.

American Literature Introduces Black Poets to Curriculum

Kate Hayashi and Aidan Jayakumar | February 23, 2021

American Literature teachers launched their Black poetry unit, which focuses on the Harlem Renaissance, last week in a push to incorporate more Black voices into the Eurocentric curriculum. While the literary...

For those on a gluten-free diet, this crispy breaded shrimp from China Moon Restaurant is an excellent choice. With a light, starchy breading over a flavorful mini salad, this shrimp dish is popular for good reason. Although China Moon Restaurant does not offer delivery options, it is well worth the trip for takeout considering the array of gluten-free options and the many precautions they take to avoid gluten contamination.

Quarantine-Style Lunar New Year Calls for Home-Style Restaurant Food

Cara Chan, Dheeksha Bhima Reddy, and Naila Talib | February 19, 2021

Lunar New Year, commonly known as Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival, marks the beginning of a new year on the lunar calendar. 2021 is the Year of the Ox.  This traditionally 15-day holiday is...

New Performance Group Brings Fresh Pop and Rock

Clara Ferreira Lopes and Haruka Noda | February 19, 2021

Contemporary and Pop Performance Ensemble is a new music elective class that focuses on rock and pop music. Music teacher Kyle Traska instructs this advanced, audition-based class with four members who...

Even through strict limitations and precautions, choir makes the most out of Valentine’s Day, spreading love and friendship through music. “I think that sending out music virtually is a way that we keep our audience engaged and that we continue to be a team or an ensemble that promotes hope,” choir director Adrian Rangel-Sanchez said. “And that promotes positivity through the challenging times that we're in.”

Choir Spreads Music and Love with Virtual Valentine’s Grams

Celine Lee and Elizabeth Bank | February 18, 2021

Choir members held a fundraising event from Feb. 1-12 that allowed students and teachers to purchase and send a personalized Valentine's Day video gram of a choir member singing. Choir raised $1,630...

Under COVID-19 precautions, varsity basketball player and freshman Kira Watanabe spends her first year unable to pass balls and play as a team during practice. “We lost summer programming; we lost fall programming,” Brian Barham said. “High school basketball is an adjustment, and it's not going to happen overnight for her. But once she adjusts, look out.”

Freshman Kira Watanabe Shoots for the Stars

Celine Lee, Staff Writer | February 17, 2021

Standing at less than five feet tall, freshman Kira Watanabe doesn't scream "basketball player" on a first glance. But all it takes is a few minutes watching her play to realize why Watanabe is the sole...

Students nominated homecoming nominees through a Google Form, in which the student body voted and three nominees from each grade level made it to the finals. Freshmen Josiah Lee, Taisho Shiono and Makena Wong; sophomores Arshia Sista, David Kim and Nathan Ji; juniors Cece Mou, Megan Sha and Celine Aoki; and seniors Zach Smay, Jun Kim and Shishir Ravipati were the homecoming finalists.

Introducing the 2021 Homecoming Royalty

Cara Chan, Business Team | February 16, 2021

While the traditional homecoming dance and game were not able to be held due to COVID-19, Portola High still awarded homecoming royalty on Feb. 4 and 5 to continue tradition, according to ASB adviser Sarah...

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady and his daughter Vivian hold up the Vince Lombardi trophy as they celebrate the Buccaneers' win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV.

Super Bowl LV: Buccaneers Win Second Super Bowl, Brady Wins Seventh

Aadi Mehta, Staff Writer | February 12, 2021

Football legend Tom Brady led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to their second Super Bowl win in franchise history, beating the Kansas City Chiefs in their home stadium 31-9 on Feb. 7. Brady was awarded the...

Junior and Mock Trial defendant Megan Sha prepares to perform throughout the first rounds of the competition.

Mock Trial Team is Ready for Action

Michelle Kim and Celine Lee | February 11, 2021

Mock Trial team members see their efforts from summer 2020 to now come together with virtual competitions held Feb. 2-11. The persistence and commitment of each member amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the...

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