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
Math teacher and assistant coach Derek Zahn prepares to go on a long run with the cross country team to a nearby trail. “I just enjoy running, so I'm always looking forward to coming out running with them,” Zahn said. “All our cross country kids are great, so it makes it fun to be out here and help them do better. I'm just looking forward to them hopefully doing the best.”

From Chasing the P-Value to Chasing Trails: Math Teacher Derek Zahn Joins the Cross Country Team as Assistant Coach

Aditi Salunkhe and Kayley Winata | November 6, 2024

From counting variables one moment to counting miles the next, math teacher and assistant coach Derek Zahn joins the Portola High Cross Country team. In his personal time, Zahn runs a combination of...

California Proposition 2 and 32 are heavily impactful to students both short-term and in the long-run. If passed, these propositions could negatively increase Californians’ tax debts but positively increase minimum wage.

The Pros and Cons of California Proposition 32 and 2

Nicole Lu and Moer Koey | November 5, 2024

Every election year, it is important for eligible student-voters to be informed beyond just the presidential candidates, and understand the direct impact of the state propositions they vote for. To many...

Tammy Kim is driven to make the city a place where everyone can thrive by prioritizing innovative approaches to public safety, revitalized community spaces and affordable housing options for all. “What keeps me motivated is the incredible spirit of Irvine’s people,” Kim said. “Every day, I meet residents who are passionate about making our community even better. Whether it’s parents advocating for school improvements, small business owners working hard to provide for their families, or young people pushing for a more sustainable future, they inspire me to work tirelessly on their behalf.”

An Exploration of the Policies of Four Candidates on the City of Irvine’s Mayoral Ballot

Sky Nguyen, Assistant Features Editor | November 5, 2024

The City of Irvine is holding its general municipal election for the next mayor and city council members on Nov. 5. There are seven total mayoral candidates: Felipe Delgado, Larry Agran, Wing Chow,...

The Irvine Civic Center is one of 15 voting centers for Irvine residents headed to elect a non-partisan Mayor and four City Council members on Nov. 5, according to the City of Irvine. Early voting and vote-by-mail options have enhanced accessibility for all voters.

How Irvine Chooses its Leaders: A Look into the City’s Election Process

Sky Nguyen, Assistant Features Editor | November 5, 2024

Irvine residents will participate in a general municipal election to elect a mayor for an at-large two-year term and four city council members on Nov. 5, according to the City of Irvine. Council members...

Democratic candidate Dave Min faces off with Republican candidate Scott Baugh for the open seat for California’s 47th District in the House of Representatives. Baugh has retained a three-point lead ahead of Min for the district, according to the latest poll by WPA Intelligence.

A Breakdown of Dave Min and Scott Baugh: Two Critical Candidates for California’s 47th District Race

Parmin Zamani and Siri Kolanupaka | November 5, 2024

This election cycle, California’s 47th Congressional District race is a close competition between candidates Republican Scott Baugh and Democratic State Senator Dave Min. These candidates have the potential...

With voting ballots cast across the nation, the focus shifts to the Electoral College process, where electors will meet in the capital of Washington, D.C. to determine the presidential and vice presidential race winners.

The Path to Presidency: How the Electoral College Plays a Crucial Role in Elections

Sky Nguyen, Assistant Features Editor | November 5, 2024

With the countrywide presidential elections on Nov. 5, the American electorate will exercise its right to vote and go through the process of the Electoral College involving selected electors representing...

Wendy’s released the limited edition Krabby Patty meal on Oct. 8.

Disappointing View: Wendy’s Krabby Patty Meal Misses the Mark

Kailyn Clark and Moer Koey | November 4, 2024

Fans have been excitedly waiting to get a taste of the limited-time Krabby Patty, the cartoon burger brought to life in celebration of SpongeBob SquarePants' 25th anniversary. But if they are expecting...

Girls’ volleyball huddle together during their pink out game for breast cancer awareness on Oct. 10. “Sports can act as a network,” head coach and social studies teacher Martasian said. “Sports can at least offer support and communication, like how to draw awareness about some of these things that are much greater and much more important than sports themselves.”

Girls’ Volleyball Celebrates Pink Out Game in Honor of Team Parent

Catherine Li and Aditi Salunkhe | November 4, 2024

Girls’ volleyball hosted a breast cancer awareness event at their pink out game on Oct. 10 in support of Rosana Rivera-Betancourt, the mother of volleyball captain and senior Mari Alvarado-Rivera. Rivera-Betancourt...

Defense attorney and sophomore Ansh Gosain direct examines trial witness and senior Musa Atif, whom he worked closely with while preparing for the scrimmage. Collaboration plays an important role in the success of the team because of the bonds it cultivates, according to Atif. “I’m going to miss having a team and a group of people I can work with and rely on,” Atif said.

Mock Trial Demands Order in the Court During First Scrimmage of the Season

Kayley Winata and Zoha Syed | November 4, 2024

Mock trial participated in their first scrimmage of the school year on Oct. 22 against Northwood High in the “People v. Gold” case, where the prosecution won and the defense went undecided. The scrimmage...

Freshman Nikitha Thota rummages through her pencil case in search of her favorite stationery item. Thota’s initial love for stationery was largely influenced by her older sister’s obsession with stationery, Thota said. “She used to always bring a bunch of pens home, then when I a little kid I would just see all this stuff, and I would think it's really cool. It wasn't me really going out and getting [stationery]. It was really just me taking it from her.”

Students Dive Into Stationery: A Look Into Portola High’s Pen Connoisseurs

Annie Xiao and Mary Lee | November 1, 2024

For twins and freshmen Cal and Tessay Ulicny, playing sports together has always been a way for the siblings to bond, according to Tessa Ulicny. “We’ve done so many sports together,” Tessa Ulicny said. “We did soccer together, and we helped each other. And even now with water polo, we help each other. We help each other all the time to get better, and I love that.”

Twins Cal and Tessa Ulicny Make a ‘Splash’ on Varsity Water Polo

Mia Jong and Sonia Wang | October 31, 2024

Same birthday, same passion, different teams. Cal and Tessa Ulticny, freshmen and twins, are making waves in the boys’ and girls’ varsity water polo teams, respectively, an intense sport known for...

Freshman Katie Tseo takes a focused swing at the tee box. The game started off well because of birdies on early holes, which rippled into good holes later on, according to head coach Wind Ralston.

Girls’ Golf ‘Strikes’ to Success Against University High and Makes Individual and Team CIF

Stephanie Hwang and Claire Liu | October 31, 2024

Girls’ golf (8-3) won against University High with a score of 163-169 in their final league match at Strawberry Farms on Oct. 17. They were named co-league champions, and all members of the team qualified...

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