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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

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...

After the Warriors’ first down in the second quarter, the two teams face each other at the 23 yard line. With the score being 14-7 with Bulldogs in the lead, the crowd watches on in anticipation of some solid Bulldog defense.

Gallery: Football vs. Woodbridge 11/1

Simrat Singh, Jenny Won, and Julia Kim | November 6, 2019

Led by a strong offensive performance and brilliant special teams play, football (9-1) defeated Woodbridge High 35-28 on Nov. 1 at University High School. With this victory, the team ended league undefeated...

AirPods Pro’s external microphones detect external sounds and send sound waves to cancel them out.

AirPods Pro Set the Tempo with New Wireless Earbuds

William Hsieh, Front Page Editor | November 6, 2019

Apple announced the new AirPods Pro via a press release Oct. 28. The main changes from the second-generation AirPods are the upgraded audio quality and the introduction of noise-cancellation. AirPods...

California Voting Age Might Be 17

California Voting Age Might Be 17

Nicholas Hung, Business Team | November 5, 2019

Current Portola High students may soon find themselves at the voting booth sooner than expected if pending legislation regarding the minimum voting age passes through the state Senate and voter ballot....

Out of her desire for students to achieve college and career success. Pa Shia Escoto dedicates herself to helping students discover occupational courses.

ROP Career Specialist Prepares Students for Beyond High School

Erin Choi, Co-Business Manager | November 4, 2019

Regional Occupational Programs (ROP) offer students experience in vocational endeavors that correspond to their interests. ROP career specialist and new member of the counseling department Pa Shia Escoto...

Club adviser Shelley Godett stands with (left to right) seniors Harry Song, William Hsieh, Nikhil Jha, junior Anthony Tan, seniors Joyee Chen and Nicholas Delianedis at the Math Day at the Beach competition.

Math Club Has Much in Store for Portola

Emma Haag, Staff Writer | November 3, 2019

Entering the four-year mark of Portola High’s establishment, staff and students try their hardest to make everyone feel included. From the variety of classes to clubs, there is something for everyone...

Nicole Jackson works on promoting healthy life decisions and creating a comfortable environment for students on campus

Nicole Jackson Helps Students through the Maze of High School

Krisha Konchadi, Social Media and Marketing Team | November 1, 2019

Since the school year has started, students are bound to feel the overwhelming stress of school work. With students’ fragile and developing brains, they can only deal with so much stress until they find...

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