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

Nine students were inducted into the International Thespian Society on May 20 for their commitment to performing arts. Despite the event being held on Zoom, the traditional ceremony of lighting a candle for inducted members when their name is called was preserved.

International Thespian Society Recognizes Performers Online

Manan Mendiratta and Akshay Raj | May 22, 2020

From emotional send-offs to warm welcomes, the International Thespian Society’s (ITS) induction ceremony celebrated all members and honored the time students spend serving the theater community outside...

Joanna Fan’s podcast, “Exploring Roots,” dives into philosophy, human morals and her personal thoughts and feelings about the COVID-19 pandemic. The podcast can be found on Spotify and Anchor.

Junior Joanna Fan Podcasts Her Way Out of Quarantine Boredom

Minnah Tanzeen, Staff Writer | May 22, 2020

It all started in early March, when junior Joanna Fan learned that the debate tournament she had spent so much time preparing for was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  “I was really sad, so...

Senior Matthew Kwon presented Integral, an app he helped develop, at Washington, D.C. after winning the Congressional App Challenge last year.

Edison Energy Names Senior Matthew Kwon Edison Scholar

Kate Hayashi and Aryan Mittal | May 21, 2020

From learning his first line of Python on his $200 Dell computer in ninth grade to coding his way to Chief Technology Officer of Derivative in tenth, senior Matthew Kwon has always known how to make use...

Hope Squad members aim to create a safe school environment, promote connectedness, support anti-bullying, encourage mental wellness, reduce mental health stigma and prevent substance misuse, according to the website.

Hope Squad Supports Students Virtually In Midst of Pandemic

Bia Shok, Staff Writer | May 21, 2020

Hope Squad has shifted from meeting at office hours or lunch once a week, to meeting every Friday via Zoom to discuss and find ways to support peers struggling with mental health throughout quarantine.  Hope...

This year’s election is anything but traditional, and presidential candidates should strive to create realistic policy goals.

Healthcare and Voting Advocacy are Crucial to a Presidential Victory

Ajinkya Rane, Co-Managing Editor | May 21, 2020

While choosing between Joe Biden and Donald Trump seemed like an important decision just over a month ago, it has become a distant memory in light of recent threats of nationwide layoffs and overflowing...

Protests have spawned across California in an act to challenge the state’s stay-at-home order and social distancing restrictions.

Stay-at-Home Protests Inspire Economic and Social Resurgence within California, Starting with OC Beaches

Ryne Dunman, Contributing Writer | May 20, 2020

Amid Gov. Gavin Newsom’s crippling stay-at-home lockdown, sporadic protests have erupted across California. While state officials are slow to act with the state’s economic decline and continue to extend...

Before Coronavirus cases increased exponentially in California, heavy waves of pollution in the air caused by combustion and crowds of people led to faded views of mountains and landscapes. Following Gov. Gavin Newsom’s enactment of a stay-at-home order on March 19, combustion on the roads and during gatherings have decreased 48% along with traffic according to U.S. News.

Why the Coronavirus has Helped the Environment

Aadi Mehta, Contributing Writer | May 20, 2020

Although the pandemic continues to overwhelm healthcare systems globally, lockdown measures by state and world leaders have reduced pollution and helped the environment become more sustainable.  According...

A Ralphs employee, Marko, sanitizes carts to ensure the safety of customers. While Ralphs still maintains its normal operating hours as they are necessary for providing residents food and day-to-day essentials, they have implemented precautions that reduce risk of customers contracting the virus.

Governor Announces Modifications to Gradually Reopen

Bia Shok, Staff Writer | May 19, 2020

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced modifications to gradually reopen the state on May 12, dealing mainly with restrictions that industries and businesses need to follow. The update was a  follow-up to the initial...

The Miracle for Youth tutoring service aims to provide one-on-one digital meetings with student volunteers and staff. Elementary students in need of tutoring as well as interested volunteers can apply via the website.

A Miracle For and By Irvine Youths

Chiara Ng and Nate Taylor | May 15, 2020

To combat the loss of in-person education, students across Irvine launched Miracle for Youth, an online tutoring service and educational non-profit. The co-founders and executive board of the organization...

At schools like University High, students are allowed to take AP classes a year earlier than at Portola or Northwood high schools, giving them a figurative head start in following their passions at a collegiate level.

District Unity for Course Progression is Key to Equity

Akshay Raj and Manan Mendiratta | May 15, 2020

There is a disparity in course offerings between the Irvine Unified School District high schools. All IUSD schools should offer the same Advanced Placement (AP) courses to the same grades to ensure equity...

The American Journal of Public Health found nearly 45,000 annual deaths are associated with lack of health insurance. According to a West Health-Gallup survey, an estimated 34 million people, one in eight American adults, say in the last five years they have had at least one friend or family member who died after being unable to afford medical treatment for their condition.

Stop Deaths Caused by America’s Healthcare System

Bia Shok, Staff Writer | May 14, 2020

With hospital beds overflowing with coronavirus-infected patients, public support for universal healthcare has increased by 41%, according to a poll conducted in March by the Morning Consult. At a time...

“The Shawshank Redemption” is commonly recognized to be one of the greatest movies to not win the Best Picture Award.

Binge These Throwback Movies During Quarantine

Shawyan Rooein, Centerspread Editor | May 13, 2020

Being stuck at home can be a drag, but what better way to enjoy your time than curling up in a blanket and watching some of the greatest movies from the past. Here are four classic movies to binge during...

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