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
Opinion
Online marketplaces have been steadily accelerating in scope, with over 431.4 billion dollars worth of sales being on the internet in 2022, according to Forbes. Despite seeming like a positive, this shift has caused innumerable destruction to physical stores.
Brick and Mortar Stores Should Remain a Staple of the Consumer Model
Tara Vatandoust, A&E Editor
May 26, 2023
Karl Lagerfeld made insensitive comments about women in addition to fatphobic comments. In the midst of the #MeToo women’s rights movement, Lagerfeld was accused of sexually harassing models, according to Vox. “If you don’t want your pants pulled about, don’t become a model! Join a nunnery, there’ll always be a place for you in the convent,” Lagerfeld said in response.
Karl Lagerfeld’s Legacy Should not be Celebrated
Shaina Taebi, Centerspread Editor
May 23, 2023
Representation in classroom materials should include positive stories that uplift Black students rather than perpetuate misunderstandings. With only 28.5% of Black graduates meeting UC/CSU requirements according to IUSD’s Population Snapshot, obstacles hindering their success, like reducing the Black experience to racism, should be at the forefront of educational concerns.
Black Joy Belongs in the Classroom
Camille Clement, Contributing Writer
May 19, 2023
Students and staff alike can work to increase female representation in sports, and exposing the need for a cultural shift toward gender equity in athletics prioritizes an inclusive mindset of all student athletes, regardless of gender. “The stereotypes are still there, and we are combating them every day in order to minimize, but that starts with teaching what high school athletics is supposed to be about and making sure they have what other sports have in terms of opportunity to participate,” athletics director Peter Abe said.
The Unbalanced Playing Field: The Saga of Female Athletics Needs to be Addressed
Ruhi Samudra, Staff Writer
May 18, 2023
Parasocial relationships become unhealthy when viewers start prioritizing their favorite celebrity over real-life interaction. In extreme cases, parasocial relationships can be traumatic for the viewer as well as the celebrity because it can lead to attacks on personal character, threats and stalking behaviors, according to “13 Fanning the Flames of Fandom: Celebrity Worship, Parasocial Interaction, and Stalking.”
When the Connection Turns Dark, Viewers Turn on Their Phones: The Dangers of Parasocial Relationships
Mia Jong and Sonia Wang
May 16, 2023
Identifying burnout is the first step to stopping it. Lacking the energy to be consistently productive, becoming cynical or critical around peers and lack of satisfaction from accomplishments are common symptoms of burnout, according to the Mayo Clinic. Students who hold themselves to high standards are at even higher risk of burnout, even when academics may not be in play.
Stopping the Cycle of Burnout Requires Objective Thinking
Michael Sun, Staff Writer
May 15, 2023
Disney officially announced the release of a live action remake of the beloved animated film “Moana” (2016) on April 3. Other remakes currently slated for release are “The Little Mermaid,” “Snow White” and “Lilo & Stitch.”
Disney’s Penchant for Remakes Loses the Magic of Traditional Animation
Arnav Chandan and Tara Vatandoust
May 12, 2023
In the months following the chatbot’s public release, ChatGPT experienced rapid growth— amassing over 100 million users from November to January. For comparison, this same feat took the popular entertainment app, TikTok, over nine months to achieve, according to Business Insider.
Reshaping Education: How Students and Schools Can Responsibly Adopt ChatGPT
Skyller Liu, Social Media Team
May 4, 2023
Enacting sensible laws that prevent mass shooters can help reduce gun violence in the United States. California has one of the strictest gun laws in the nation, requiring a 10-day waiting period for gun purchases and thorough background checks of purchasers, and California has a gun death rate that is 37% lower than the national average, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Guns are killing people. So why are we looking away?
Hannah Ko, Staff Writer
May 1, 2023
Performance-based assessment tasks are more holistic and effective than SBAC tests, which present a snapshot of student education and is meant to assess areas of improvement, but student proficiency has stayed the same in recent years.
SBAC Remains Fruitless Toward California Education
Elise Ngo, Social Media Team
April 26, 2023
The United States’ level of civil discourse is declining rapidly, according to the American Psychological Association. Furthermore, nearly 60 percent of Americans feel stressed because of social divisiveness. The above infographic provides some tips for conducting productive, civil discourse.
Friends Who Hold Different Viewpoints Encourage Us to Collaborate
Michael Sun, Staff Writer
April 24, 2023
The use of lip-synching in concerts is a hotly-contested topic by many people, with some arguing for its continuation due to the aid it provides artists’ health and others staunchly opposing it due to its inauthenticity.
H2H: To Synch or Not to Synch
April 18, 2023
Lip-Syncing Is Not an Egregious Crime
Madeline Chung, Business Team
April 18, 2023
Singers, not Synchers: Artists Should Not Rely on Prerecorded Tracks During Concerts
Tara Vatandoust, Arts and Entertainment Editor
April 18, 2023
Fears that time is running out and the environment will collapse in the near future has spurred feelings of helplessness and desperation among young individuals. “I think there should be a lot more to be done to educate citizens on how you can take action in ways such as making public comments at city council meetings and just getting to know your representatives in general,” animal and environmental protection club president and senior Katherine Chang said.
Eco-anxiety Is a Step Forward to Saving the Environment
Jana Malek and Mary Lee
April 13, 2023
Some fans of celebrities harass the winners, who won instead of their favorite for that category because they place so much importance on these awards.
Awards Shows are Not as Important as Artists’ Artistic Merit
Maitri Allani and Christine Pham
April 12, 2023
Spending many hours on a phone can lead to harmful effects like anxiety. Reading books allows students to reach a higher level of thinking and benefits them socially, according to NCBI.
Put Down the Phone and Read More Books
Claire Chan, Staff Writer
March 28, 2023
Chess tournaments are competitive and demand a high level of physical strength from the player as they can last upwards of nine hours. Chess should be categorized as a sport due to its intensity and the stamina players must have.
Settling the Debate: Chess Should Be Considered a Legitimate Sport
Aditi Salunkhe, Staff Writer
March 17, 2023
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The student news site of Portola High School
Opinion