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
Senior Bianca Morrell catches a pass while playing offense during the LA Chargers Girls’ Flag All-Star game. “I was ecstatic—playing on the fields where the LA Rams get to play, and working with coaches who've had experience with flag football, and playing around with girls who like to compete and who want to win,” Morrell said.

Senior Bianca Morrell is ‘Flagged’ for Success

December 20, 2024
Point guard and junior Lucas Ip fights to score a basket between two defenders. “I think one of our strengths is shooting,” Ip said. “We have a lot of good 3-point shooters, and then we have a lot of players that are able to drive and facilitate the offense, which allows us to get these 3-pointers.”

Boys’ Basketball Faces Loss in Close Game Against El Toro High

Maya Tedini and Hannah Ko | December 19, 2024
Point guard and junior Maddy Nguyen, combo guard and freshman Yuri Ha and shooting guard and sophomore Kelcie Fan kicked off the new girls’ basketball season together. “I love this team because there’s just more chemistry,” Nguyen said. “Just being able to play with them is just a great opportunity for me to be happy, have fun and enjoy my junior year.”

Here are Some Players to Watch Out For as Girls’ Basketball ‘Shoots’ into the New Season

Catherine Li and Kailyn Clark | December 18, 2024
Captain, center-back and senior Malaika Fawzi takes a free kick from the 32-yard line in the first half. “I think that my role as captain is leading them both on and off the field,” Fawzi said. “Even if we’re down or we mess up or we get scored on, I’m making sure that everyone is working towards a positive goal and bringing each other up.”

Girls’ Soccer Holds Chargers to Tie, Setting Momentum for Season Ahead

Ruhi Samudra and Parmin Zamani | December 17, 2024
Goalie and senior Giselle Lu leaps up in the water and attempts to block a shot made by Long Beach Polytechnic High. Similarly, utility player Serena Wang managed to make several crucial saves. “We didn’t have as many members of defense as their offense, but we were able to stop the goals and shut them down because we helped each other by basically crashing onto the person with the ball and taking the ball,” Wang said.

Girls’ Water Polo Persists Through Teamwork Despite Tough Loss

Alice Ahn and Kelly Yeh | December 13, 2024
Freshman Teryn Kim strikes a pose at the end of her routine for the 2024 SoCal Invitational Final where she placed first. “I really like [skating] because of the feeling of flying in the air and the excitement when you do well after a competition,” Kim said. “Skating across the ice, and then a cold wind on your face; it’s just a free feeling.”

Twists, Turns and Triple Axels: Freshman Teryn Kim Glides to Success

Suhana Kaur and Aditi Salunkhe | December 2, 2024
All nine committed athletes smile for a photo just before the ceremony begins. The ceremony took place on Nov. 15 in the gym during office hours. Each athlete typically invites a coach or teacher to give a brief speech about their academic and athletic accomplishments, but because the number of signees this year was so much greater than years past, athletes were simply announced by name, the school they will be attending and the athletic program they have committed to, according to assistant athletic director Brian Smith.

Nine Seniors Take the Next Steps in their Athletic Careers this National Signing Week

Maya Tedini, Co-Editor-in-Chief | November 22, 2024
Freshman Daniil Babenko and his dance partner Reagan To glide across the stage at the Empire Open Dance Festival, one of the many competitions they have participated in together. “A competition that stands out to me is when we went to China to represent Team USA,” To said. “It was such an incredible experience because it was one of our first times competing internationally.”

From Studio Lights to Olympic Heights: Freshman Daniil Babenko Takes Steps Toward Stardom

Alice Ahn and Kelly Yeh | November 14, 2024
Quarterback and sophomore Alondra Hernandez passes to running back and sophomore Irene Kim in a game against Garden Grove High. “As the running back, I feel like we're a lot closer to the other receivers,” Kim said. “So if there's a situation where [Hernandez] has to get the ball out at the last minute and no one else is open, I'm always there for her, and that's where I feel like the communication comes into play.”

Flag Football Quarterback and Sophomore Alondra Hernandez ‘Tackles’ Leadership on the Field

Senna Kahf and Dania Yamani | November 9, 2024
Math teacher and assistant coach Derek Zahn prepares to go on a long run with the cross country team to a nearby trail. “I just enjoy running, so I'm always looking forward to coming out running with them,” Zahn said. “All our cross country kids are great, so it makes it fun to be out here and help them do better. I'm just looking forward to them hopefully doing the best.”

From Chasing the P-Value to Chasing Trails: Math Teacher Derek Zahn Joins the Cross Country Team as Assistant Coach

Aditi Salunkhe and Kayley Winata | November 6, 2024
Girls’ volleyball huddle together during their pink out game for breast cancer awareness on Oct. 10. “Sports can act as a network,” head coach and social studies teacher Martasian said. “Sports can at least offer support and communication, like how to draw awareness about some of these things that are much greater and much more important than sports themselves.”

Girls’ Volleyball Celebrates Pink Out Game in Honor of Team Parent

Catherine Li and Aditi Salunkhe | November 4, 2024
For twins and freshmen Cal and Tessay Ulicny, playing sports together has always been a way for the siblings to bond, according to Tessa Ulicny. “We’ve done so many sports together,” Tessa Ulicny said. “We did soccer together, and we helped each other. And even now with water polo, we help each other. We help each other all the time to get better, and I love that.”

Twins Cal and Tessa Ulicny Make a ‘Splash’ on Varsity Water Polo

Mia Jong and Sonia Wang | October 31, 2024
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