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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

Kombucha is a probiotic-rich beverage that provides many health benefits including enhancing digestive and liver health. The company, Health-Ade Kombucha is a Los Angeles-based company that strives to have the “best tasting and highest quality kombucha,” according to their website.

Reviewing Kombucha, the Famously-Fermented Fizzy Drink

Emma Haag and Bia Shok | November 18, 2019

Kombucha is a growing trend that promises multiple health benefits, such as improving the digestive system, preventing infections, aiding weight loss, reducing the risk of heart disease, supporting liver...

Passion Day coordinator and visual arts teacher Kearci Moir works with junior and committee member Mona Tavassoli to develop new methods that seek to increase student engagement in the annual Passion Day event. They plan on executing this through sending out a google form asking students about their passions to ensure that there is a session suitable for a diverse student body.

Passion Day Planning Committee Recruits Student Voices

Claudia Lin, Staff Writer | November 15, 2019

Every year, staff members have been tasked with the responsibility for planning the annual Passion Day event, but in order to address crucial issues regarding student involvement, staff members turned...

While the apple pie may look dry, the apples are full of moisture, which complement nicely to the flaky pie crust. If you have any vegan friends, fear not! The apples by its own are delicious.

How to Thanksgiving: Pies

William Hsieh, Julia Kim, and Farhad Taraporevala | November 15, 2019

In the second installment of the series, we will be making pies. The fillings are easy to make, but pie crust is notoriously finicky. If you have never baked before, we suggest you seek the advice of a...

Junior Trevor Howden plays “Come As You Are” by the rock band Nirvana and “Enter Sandman” by the heavy metal band Metallica during office hours. Howden says that he likes to play that song because the iconic bands have been an inspiration for him.

Campus Performers Embrace Their Passion by Playing Out Their Hearts

Bia Shok and Minnah Tanzeen | November 14, 2019

Adrenaline pumping sounds of heavy metal, rock or even pop music stimulates the curiosity of passing students in the quad or near the music room; during lunch, snack or even office hours. Most of the time,...

Early November, festive decorations roll out to welcome the soon-to-come winter holidays. Whether it be on a mall-wide scale or in individual shops, colored lights and ornaments are seen in abundance.

Gallery: Stores Deck the Aisles for 2019 Holidays

Jaein Kim, Staff Writer | November 13, 2019

From Christmas trees to reds and greens, stores rush to decorate and advertise new seasonal holiday products right as the Halloween craze dies down.

Amari Trevino-Beverly reviews systems of equations with her sister Ailani Beverly before her upcoming math test. Trevino-Beverly tutors her siblings in various subjects and disciplines.

Sophomore Lends a Helping Hand to her Community

Annie Qiao and Ajinkya Rane | November 11, 2019

As the sun peeks over the roof of the Trevino-Beverly household, all is peaceful. The low hum of childish cartoons plays in the background and the intermittent tapping on keyboards resounds. Sophomore...

Many students created altars dedicated to personal role-models, like Steve Jobs. Every project includes features that can be found in traditional Mexican ofrendas: paper decorations, called papel picados, represent the element of air, while bright flowers and leaves represent earth.

Students Celebrate Day of the Dead by Honoring Their Role Models

Lauren Hsu and Bia Shok | November 8, 2019

Vibrant paper decorations and flickering plastic candles could be seen scattered across the collab spaces, accompanied by colorful tissue-paper marigolds and photos of influential figures. From Oct....

Choir director Adrian Rangel-Sanchez said he expects the difficulty level of the ‘Cinderella’ musical to challenge participants in similar ways as ‘The Addams Family’ with big numbers, extensive choreography and strong ensemble involvement.

‘Cinderella’ is the Perfect Fit for the Spring Musical

Tiffany Wu, Co-News Editor | November 8, 2019

When the clock ticked 9:24 a.m. on Oct. 31, a princess clad in blue, her fairy godmother, her wicked stepmother, two Prince Charmings, one pumpkin carriage, one blind mouse and one missing glass slipper...

With California SB-328 coming close to pushing back the school start time 30 minutes, students and staff alike should carefully consider the implications that come with the push, such as the possibility of later end times and shortened breaks.

Portola Cannot Sleep on Pushing Back School Start Time

Manan Mendiratta and Akshay Raj | November 8, 2019

New California legislature is in the process of bringing change to students across the state in the form of a later school start time. On Oct. 13, Gov. Gavin Newsom and California Secretary of State Alex...

Brown Sugar Matcha Latte  and Wintermelon Light Green Tea have two different types of boba; the matcha latte has the brown sugar boba, while the Wintermelon tea has honey boba. As aesthetic as it looks, these two drinks came with a heavy combined price tag of almost eleven dollars.

Don’t be Chai: Satisfy Your Boba Cravings at OneZo

William Hsieh, Julia Kim, and Farhad Taraporevala | November 8, 2019

You may have tried brown boba, but have you tried pink, yellow or even green boba? Then you may want to take a trip to OneZo Boba, which opened Oct. 31. Located in the Woodbury Town Center in between Panera...

A nine-foot bronze statue of John Wayne on a marble pedestal named “The Duke” stands tall within John Wayne Airport, overlooking the Thomas F. Riley Terminal. Commissioned by the John Wayne Associates, sculptor Robert Summers created the statue to honor John Wayne and his patriotism.

John Wayne Airport Could Be Renamed

Aaron Sha, Features Editor | November 7, 2019

John Wayne Airport (SNA), the commercial service airport named after Western film legend John Wayne, may not be able to remain under the same name due to multiple petitions and media outlets advocating...

Richard Levensailor, pictured on the right, was diagnosed with a terminal neurological disease and passed away during Katie Levensailor’s first semester of her doctorate program. “I can remember sitting by his bedside at night, working on my 1st round of papers, thinking if he can fight this, I can do this doctorate,” Katie Levensailor said. “He told me specifically not to let his illness stop me from continuing.  Many people who start doctorates don't finish because the writing process can be grueling.  I knew I had to finish for my dad. I wanted to give him a doctor.”

Late Father Influences Science Teacher

Annie Qiao and Tiffany Wu | November 7, 2019

As athletic director and science teacher Katie Levensailor reflects on memories of her dad, her bright blue eyes soften slightly, and she directs her unseeing gaze outward. We get the sense that her mind...

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