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 Fair Food Drive-Thru features classic foods from the Orange County Fair such as fried Oreos and Cathy’s Cookies. Fans of Cathy’s Cookies can visit their Instagram @cathys_cookies to see where the food truck will be for that day.

Fair Food Drive-Thru Safely Serves Up Fan Favorites

Ava Caleca and Ariana Wu | September 18, 2020

From fried Oreos to turkey legs, the Fair Food Drive-Thru, which began on Aug. 28, is a highly populated venue for fair fans to get their favorite food staples. Due to the cancellation of this summer’s...

On the left, instrumental music director Kyle Traska holds his pet chicken, Elsa, for whom he assembled a coop out of a neighbor’s old kitchen cabinet. On the right, junior Safah Faraz spends time with her four-month-old calico, Pepper, who is a clumsy yet lovable fool.

Feathers, Fur and Fins: Facing Quarantine with Newfound Friends

Kayla Moshayedi, Lauren Hsu, and Zara Shirwany | September 18, 2020

For many students and staff, adopting a pet this past summer provided not only some much-needed entertainment to curb quarantine boredom, but also a lifelong companion.  For junior Shreya Shah, making...

To promote healthy behaviors and encourage environments that will reduce the spread of COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that players refrain from sharing equipment, practice in a properly ventilated area and maintain physical distance as often as possible by focusing on individual conditioning.

Sports Will Continue to Be Safe if Precautions are Followed

Bia Shok and Lauren Hsu | September 18, 2020

Some teams, such as football, baseball and wrestling, have resumed on-campus training during the off-season while following safety precautions. Although these practices may appear risky, students are ultimately...

Because of COVID-19, many of the new teachers have unconventionally introduced themselves to their students through Zoom. As September 24 approaches, the teachers have been preparing to teach on campus for the first time and fully immerse themselves in Portola’s atmosphere.

Welcoming New Teachers to the Bulldog Staff for the 2020-21 School Year

Grace Baek and Ariana Wu | September 17, 2020

This 2020-21 school year, Amanda D'Avila, Katherine Dillon, Anthony Fullman, Desmond Hernandez, Christian Quinteros and Kayla Zimmerman join the teaching staff. Gil Carey joins the staff as project success...

In addition to her typical boba shop employee duties, senior Kayla Espiritu has taken on photography, graphic design and publicity management for her store’s social media. Despite the dangers of COVID-19, the pandemic has brought opportunities and challenges to student workers in unexpected ways.

Student Workers Adapt to COVID-19

Naila Talib and Jenny Won | September 16, 2020

As the COVID-19 pandemic forced stores across the country to shut down, many former and aspiring student workers had to postpone their employment as well. However, as the world is slowly adapting to life...

Like most others who teach via IVA, English teacher Madeline Greenwood works from home. “I have a hallway where I have a desk setup. I have a pretty nice setup — I have two monitors,” Greenwood said. Greenwood’s husband who teaches math also chose IVA for the same health reasons and works alongside Greenwood during the day.

IVA vs. Hybrid Teaching: What’s the Difference?

Jaein Kim and Michelle Kim | September 16, 2020

Before the 2020-21 school year started, all K-12 chose between three academic models: Irvine Virtual Academy (fully online), Hybrid (two in-person days) and Blended (combination of IVA and Hybrid). Along...

Sophomore Ellie Lian and junior Chris Stocks hang out together in a local park. Many students opted to spend more time outdoors over break, especially since open spaces make social distancing easier.

Students Enjoy a Different Summer Break

Lauren Hsu and Michelle Kim | September 15, 2020

From cancelled family trips to indefinitely-postponed birthday parties, the COVID-19 pandemic caused many students’ summer plans to be put off or abandoned entirely. Despite the global panic, students...

Avatar: The Last Airbender (ATLA) revolves around a world where characters have the ability to control, or bend, one element—water, earth, fire or air—with the exception of the Avatar, who can control all four elements. The show is particularly captivating due to the friendship between the main protagonists: Aang, the Avatar; Katara, a waterbender; Sokka, Katara’s brother; Toph, an earthbender and Zuko, a firebender whose goal is to capture the Avatar.

Bending the Rules: How ‘Avatar: the Last Airbender’ Remains Timeless

Charlotte Cao and Claudia Lin | September 15, 2020

Long ago, in 2005, the landscape of animated children’s shows was barren in its inclusivity. Then, everything changed when “Avatar: The Last Airbender” (ATLA), an animated show created by Michael...

Sports like volleyball, soccer and tennis are resuming practices, but with modifications that fit in line with guidelines by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. These include implementing a minimum of six-feet separation between the players and coaches, as well as mandating face coverings for non-strenuous activities and having sanitary equipment available.

Sports Resume Off-Season with Modifications

Aadi Mehta, Staff Writer | September 14, 2020

Sports are resuming in-person practices during September under strict guidelines released by the Centers of Disease Control in July in order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.  “Currently our team...

The audition information meeting was held on Sept. 14, during which Sanford released information regarding the audition process and future dates for all theater members to be aware of. The technology crew and design team information meeting will be held on Sept. 21 on Google Meet.

Standing Ovation for Theater Community as Fall Play Goes Virtual

Akshay Raj and Claudia Lin | September 14, 2020

The fifth annual fall play, Tracy Wells’ “One Stoplight Town,” will be entirely virtual, from production to presentation, according to play director and performing arts teacher Samantha Sanford....

The Top of the World, Laguna Beach, is the traditional spot that most Irvine High schools host their senior sunrise, because of the local shops and breakfast spots nearby, and the breathtaking view of the ocean and sky from high elevation.

Seniors Socially Distance at the Top of the World

Krisha Konchadi and Clara Ferreira Lopes | September 14, 2020

The Top of the World, Laguna Beach, is the traditional spot that most Irvine High schools host their senior sunrise, because of the local shops and breakfast spots nearby, and the breathtaking view of...

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