Skip to Main Content
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

Directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, “Frozen 2” hit the big screen on Nov. 22 exploring the past history of the fan favorite cast of characters. On a new quest, the characters must find a way to protect Arendelle and their loved ones from the elements of the world.

Journey ‘Into the Unknown’ with Disney’s ‘Frozen 2’

Aaron Sha and Simrat Singh | December 6, 2019

Disney’s “Frozen 2” has been a highly-anticipated sequel to the massively successful 2013 animated family film, “Frozen,”. Six years later, fans of all ages swarmed the theaters on Nov. 22 to...

Many of these smoking bans stem from a concern with many hotel guests smoking in public areas. Because many guests are from foreign nations, and are used to smoking anywhere, the city council hopes that this ban will help hoteliers reinforce that they are not allowed to smoke in public.

Cigarettes and Vapes go Up in Smoke in Irvine

Julia Kim, Opinion Editor | December 4, 2019

Irvine will implement a ban on smoking in all areas of Irvine except for single-unit private residence areas starting Dec. 12. Councilwoman Farrah Khan and Mayor Pro Tempore Anthony Kuo proposed the ordinance...

Many colleges give prospective applicants the option to use either the Common Application or the Coalition Application to submit their application; students will be able to use both of these applications, ensuring that the 20-school limit on the application is not a large issue.

Maxing Out on Common App is Not a Common Problem

Helena Hu, Co-Editor-in-Chief | December 3, 2019

As many high school seniors applying to college may realize, the Common Application is a universal portal with over 800 domestic and international member schools. While a few students may express frustration...

51,000 lights glimmer over Sleeping Beauty’s castle, making the holiday season even more magical for all to enjoy.

Celebrate New Holiday Events and Treats at the Disneyland Resort

Ava Caleca, Social Media & Marketing Team | December 2, 2019

With bright lights, ornaments and fallen snow, the holiday spirit has spread across Disneyland Resort. There are even more exciting additions this year to celebrate the holidays with friends and family. While...

Eco-Friend or Eco-Foe? The Fallacies of Fast-Fashion

Eco-Friend or Eco-Foe? The Fallacies of Fast-Fashion

Kelthie Truong, Backpage Editor | December 2, 2019

At first glance, it may seem that the outspoken generation revolutionizing the understanding of sustainability has recently reached a victory in the fashion industry. Zara’s promise of “100% sustainable...

Showing his copy of the Torah written in Hebrew, Rabbi Stephen Einstein helps students understand how translation of scripture from one language to another alters interpretations of religious ideas throughout history. Continuing the series, three more guest speakers will visit to talk about their respective religions: a speaker on Buddhism on Dec. 3, Mormonism on Dec. 5 and Islam on Dec. 17.

Rabbi Stephen Einstein Commences Religion Lecture Series

Ki Joon Lee and Junhee Ryu | December 2, 2019

Students of the Religion and Society class taught by social studies department chair Jon Resendez listened to Rabbi Stephen Einstein lecture about the fundamental principles of Judaism and answer questions...

As a solution to the academic honesty problemon campus, some teachers have created multiple forms of exams for their students. Math teacher Eric Graham created nine different versions of his AP Statistics midterm in order to prevent students from cheating.

IUSD Plans to Update Academic Honesty Policy

Akshay Raj and Helena Hu | December 2, 2019

Forty-six years since establishment, the Irvine Unified School District (IUSD) is working on revising its policy on academic honesty for the 2020-21 school year. Executive director of secondary education...

Academic dishonesty often occurs in a cyclic pattern when there is no firm cheating policy in place. With 57% of teachers at IUSD agreeing that cheating is a problem at their schools, a stronger stance from the district is necessary.

Promoting Academic Integrity Through Student Efforts

December 2, 2019

Whether a student is copying a homework problem or obtaining a leaked exam key, under Irvine Unified School District’s current academic honesty policy, there is no clear distinction. The policy took...

Kayla Espiritu and 17 other juniors had their potluck dinner on Nov. 11, continuing the tradition of Friendsgiving that they started when they first entered high school.

Friends Become Family at ‘Friendsgiving’ Celebrations

Charlotte Cao and Kate Hayashi | November 26, 2019

With Thanksgiving around the corner, families around the United States are setting tables, stocking up on ingredients and awaiting the arrival of distant relatives to return to the familiar, or sometimes...

When the Chicken Sandwich Craze Turns Deadly

When the Chicken Sandwich Craze Turns Deadly

Maya Sabbaghian, Co-Managing Editor | November 26, 2019

In a Maryland Popeye’s location on Nov. 4, an argument arose after one person cut in front of another in line specifically intended for the infamous chicken sandwich. The two men went outside the establishment;...

Weekly vendors at the OC Great Park market sell locally-grown fruits and vegetables and exclusive, artisan-made products. The farmers market takes place in the Great Park on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Farmers and Artisans Congregate at the OC Great Park Farmers Market

Erin Choi, Business Team | November 26, 2019

Walking through the Great Park Farmers Market, one can’t help but appreciate the eclectic variety of goods that populate the white-tented booths. Gleaming fruits and vegetables, samples of iced juices,...

Donate to Portola Pilot
$200
$500
Contributed
Our Goal

Activate Search
The student news site of Portola High School
Showcase