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
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 8, 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
During practices for CIF, the girls’ volleyball participates in new activities, according to setter and sophomore Jane Park. For example, the team has been participating in activities where the athletes can have more fun, according to setter, defense specialist and junior Jojo Liu.

Girls Volleyball ‘Sets’ Portola High History with CIF Qualification

Mary Lee and Catherine Li | October 28, 2024
Leanna Roman and Kylie Nguyen prepare for their Oct. 2 practice after school. They interact with the entire team before even the warm-ups begin. “We’re on the court as a family,” according to Roman.

Meet the Captains: How the Girls’ Tennis Team Rises to Success

Sophia Kim, Staff Writer | October 16, 2024
Senior Zoe Wynn hits the golf ball with a swift drive swing. Wynn’s dedication to perfecting various swing techniques throughout her golf career allowed her to experience many wins. “I've seen Zoe at her highs, as when she won league as a freshman,” girls’ golf coach and history teacher Wind Ralston said. “I've seen her at her lows as well, when she maybe hasn't had the best round. But I would say she was my first golfer who came to me with a lot of skill initially which I was not used to. It's been great to see her grow and evolve as a player. Zoe is always fun, even when she may not have the best round, she still is having fun and her personality is contagious and makes other girls just want to have fun.”

Senior Zoe Wynn Commits to Williams College, Aiming for a Bright Future on the Green

Hannah Ko and Sruti Allani | October 2, 2024
Global Badminton Academy athlete and freshman Josh Xu lunges down to attack the shuttlecock at a tournament in Frisco, Texas on Jan 16. “I always want to do good in my tournaments and avoid falling down,” Xu said. “It’s really easy for a badminton player to fall down at some point. Sometimes when I lose, I become a little depressed, but I still try to be positive and go train.”

Freshman Josh Xu’s Badminton Journey is a ‘Smashing’ Success

Aditi Salunkhe and Alice Ahn | June 5, 2024
Many of head baseball coach Bryan Resnick's videos have received millions of views, being a platform to connect with people from different states. “I put out a video about how to hit a home run, and I just started seeing it getting shared and shared and shared and just snowballed,” Resnick said. “I’m really most proud of just being able to build something that people enjoy.”

Home Plate Humor: Baseball Coach Resnick Mixes Comedy and Content Creation

Mia Jong and Sonia Wang | May 30, 2024
Boys’ volleyball sibling duo Jayce and Jett Fukuda smile before a varsity game last year. “I think that was really cool because having so many people there to watch me and my brother because we're so lucky to be on the same team at that time,” junior Jayce Fukuda said. “That was really special and important to me.”

Junior Jayce Fukuda Uses Sibling Inspiration to Fuel Volleyball Success

Elise Ngo and Madeline Chung | May 28, 2024
Freshman Soho Lee performs her routine at the 2023 Toyota US Figure Skating Championships in San Jose, CA. “I love competing,” Lee said. “It's obviously very nerve-wracking, but I really enjoy it. The feeling you get after a good performance is unexpected; you can't explain it.”

Athletic Artistry: Freshman Soho Lee Soars to Greatness Through Cheer and Figure Skating

Camille Clement and Madeline Chung | May 20, 2024
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