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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

Sophomore Ashley Kwon calls her dad, who just finished performing a surgery in Seoul, for their daily check-in via FaceTime.

Mini Love Stories

Charlotte Cao, Claudia Lin, and Kate Hayashi | February 21, 2020

A Rose for the Resendezes “I found him so engaging, like he would just talk, and I couldn’t stop listening to him speak because there was something very attractive about that.”  - Melody Resendez “She...

The cast of “Parasite,” including Song Kang-ho, Choi Woo-shik and others walked the red carpets at film festivals around the world but remarked that the Academy Awards was one of their most significant and memorable experiences.

‘Parasite’ Breaks New Ground at Oscars

Shawyan Rooein, Ki Joon Lee, and Julia Kim | February 20, 2020

South Korean film “Parasite” took home four Oscars: Best Picture, Directing, International Film and Original Screenplay at the 92nd Academy Awards held on Feb. 9, opening a new chapter for international...

 Out of forty other Crafton Hills Fire Academy students, she was the only female. Though some relatives and peers doubted her ability to throw ladders and crawl through fires, she ended being one of the most respected students.

Corona Fire Inspector and Portola Mom Linda DeTorres Balances Family and Fire Prevention

Priscilla Baek, Media Director | February 19, 2020

Linda DeTorres pulls double duty every week as both a mother to sophomore Sloane DeTorres and a Corona Department Fire Inspector. After graduating from Crafton Hills Fire Academy in 1994 and working with...

Chelsea Smith, daughter of math teacher Toni Smith, is a friend of Joey King and was also a child actress from a young age.

Presenters Showcase Passions from Calmness to Careers

Jenny Won, Assistant A&E Editor | February 18, 2020

As the fourth annual Passion Day approaches on Feb. 21, student and teacher speakers alike are preparing to share the topics and interests that shape their identities. With 46% of speakers being student...

Since a lot of kids in Irvine are financially dependent on their parents, once they enter college, they are hit with a whole new realm of problems they have never learned to deal with. “Especially growing up in a pretty affluent area such as Irvine, I’ve never really had to worry about dealing with money problems. But now that I’m a senior in high school, with the independence to drive, have a job and whatnot, I’m really worried for my future and balancing life with financial issues,” senior Faith Nguyen said.

Financial Literacy Must Be Mandatory in High School

Krisha Konchadi, Social Media and Marketing Team | February 18, 2020

Instead of studying valuable lessons about responsible money decisions, high schoolers seem to be in a repetitive regime of memorizing information that is rarely applicable to real life. According to a...

How to Valentine’s: Macarons

Jaein Kim, Staff Writer | February 14, 2020

This year, instead of simply purchasing pre-made Valentine’s Day treats from the store, whip up these French macarons yourself to show a little extra love and affection for those who make your life sweeter. Ingredients: For...

After six years of passionate practice, sophomore Renee Wang can perform a variety of advanced tricks, such as vertical axis, one-handed whips and double yo-yo.

Sophomore Chinese Yo-yo Performer Shares her Talent

Bia Shok and Nicholas Hung | February 14, 2020

With a deft flick of her wrist, sophomore Renee Wang skillfully launches her Chinese yo-yo high into the morning sky. In the blink of an eye, the diabolo almost impossibly catches on the thin string...

Senior Julia Lee says she enjoys computer graphics more than fine arts due to how digital platforms are easier to edit errors compared to other mediums. Although Lee was first concerned that she was not familiar with digital platforms, she was able to catch on quickly through many hours of additional practice at home.

Senior Artist Designs Artwork for Album Cover

Bia Shok, Staff Writer | February 14, 2020

The delicately-skilled hands of senior Julia Lee saturate the empty computer screen with soft and natural colors that balance perfectly. With just time and patience, Lee creates beautiful portraits, sceneries...

A student displays three Novos (e-cigarettes) which they have come to carry with them almost everywhere they go.

Taking a look at the Nicotine “Buzz” Through Students’ Eyes

Ariana Wu, Staff Writer | February 13, 2020

In recent years, news of the vaping epidemic among teenagers has plastered headlines across platforms. Despite the seemingly endless articles about the unknown dangers of e-cigarettes, The National Institute...

With the current music rating system, songs like Foster the People’s “Pumped Up Kicks,” which express the ambition to start a school shooting, are in the same category as childrens’ songs like “Baby Shark.” As a result of this lyrical neglect, thousands of songs with vastly different messages and levels of intensity are grouped together under the blanket terms of either “explicit” or “non-explicit.”

Music Should be Rated by Lyrics, not Language

Akshay Raj and Manan Mendiratta | February 13, 2020

Eminem’s recent album, “Music to be Murdered By,” has sparked controversy around age-restricted content. In his track “Darkness,” he portrays the Manchester Arena bombing from the perspective...

Junior Kayla Nguyen presents her ceramics creation of “Balloony,” inspired by the television show “Phineas and Ferb,” at Fine Arts Week.

Ceramics Course Provides Students with Therapeutic Break

Ariana Wu, Staff Writer | February 13, 2020

Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the other buildings on campus that are often brimming with test anxiety, stressful projects and homework assignments, the relaxing atmosphere of the ceramics classroom...

Ethan and Carissa Qureshi competed at a USA Wrestling Tournament at Laguna Hills High on Oct. 5, 2019. The sibling duo, who had been training frequently after school, both placed first in their respective divisions.

Sibling Pair Competes and Connects through Wrestling

Charlotte Cao, Social Media & Marketing Team | February 12, 2020

In most sports, players form close bonds with each other, turning into a family over a season of grueling practices and intense competitions.  The Qureshis are different; their relationship as siblings...

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