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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

Education specialist Desiree Shaffer waves a “Go Bulldogs” sign to incoming cars of students and family members, who show their appreciation even behind windows and masks. From a safe distance, Shaffer stops to check in and chat with the families before sending them down the line of other cheerful staff members.

Caravan for Special Education Creates Smiles From 6 Feet Away

Ava Caleca and Kelthie Truong | May 28, 2020

Paper signs flutter in the afternoon breeze as staff members patiently await the next round of cars, equipped with joyful honking and eager passengers.  Initiated by special education department chair...

Video Production teacher Tina Murphy and junior Madison Empalmado, the new social media producer, special segment producer and reporter, wanted to display the key features of their studio: the painted-on green screen and lights. PNN often uses their Instagram (@portolanewsnetwork) to publicize their show.

PNN Anchors Down their Leadership for the 2020-21 School Year

Emma Haag and Ariana Wu | May 28, 2020

From working countless hours to putting together 20-second segments to capturing important school events on film, the leadership of Portola News Network is always on top of its game. To prepare for another...

The Iris Episode 2: The Reign of King COVID the 19th

The Iris Episode 2: The Reign of King COVID the 19th

Ajinkya Rane and Jordan Lee | May 28, 2020

Jordan and Ajinkya tackle what's on everyone's mind - the Coronavirus. With guests spanning from a Portola student facing difficulties with asthma medication and a physician specializing in pediatric emergency...

Junior Raksha Rajeshmohan played the lead role in the spring “Cinderella” musical. By watching and writing about other local theater productions, she was able to utilize her unique perspective to improve her performance on stage.

Junior Raksha Rajeshmohan Nominated for Theater Critics Award

Claudia Lin and Zara Shirwany | May 27, 2020

From astonishing audience members with her show-stopping performances to constructing critic reviews for local school productions, junior Raksha Rajeshmohan has built a unique appreciation of theater through...

The 2020-21 Dance Company crew auditioned through a digital evaluation process last month as a part of the transition to digital learning.

Digital Master Classes Unite Dancers during Quarantine

Jenny Won, Assistant Arts & Entertainment Editor | May 27, 2020

Though the typically bustling dance studios have gone quiet since the pandemic began, student dancers continue to hone their skills behind their screens. As one of the arts that depends more heavily on...

With the help of semi-permanent dyes, junior Kailyn Pham is among the many students experimenting with different hair colors since the start of quarantine. Dark silver locks are only the most recent of Pham’s several hair transformations in the past few months.

Students Become their Own Quarantine Hairstylists

Kelthie Truong, Back Page Editor | May 26, 2020

  With hair salons among the many closures of non-essential businesses, students have taken hair transformations into their own hands, flaunting everything from brightly-colored hair to clean-shaven...

Coach James Welker passes on knowledge of the building industry, which he garnered from his time under a general contractor. The pictures showcase household furniture and structures he has previously built.

Building Industry Technology Academy Teaches Handy Household Skills

Erin Choi, Business Team | May 25, 2020

School starts again in fall — with it, a new course.  Under the instruction of assistant football coach James Welker, Building Industry Technology Academy (BITA) opens to all grades. In this year-long...

Portola High obtained the 1st Team Safe Sports School Award for following both the requirements and the recommendations set by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association. Examples of categories include athlete injury protocol, athletic clearance processes and procedures for emergencies like earthquakes or fires.

Portola High Becomes First IUSD School to Secure Safe Sports School Award

Lauren Hsu, Staff Writer | May 22, 2020

The athletics program recently received the 1st Team Safe Sports School Award from the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) on April 17 for excellence in athlete safety, making Portola High...

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...

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