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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

Charlotte Cao

Charlotte Cao, Features Editor

Charlotte Cao is the Features Editor for her third and, unfortunately, final year on the Pilot. Whether it be through the co-writing of stories or during the frantic rush of print day, she cannot wait to make more memories with her fellow staff members, whom she loves more than Thai tea boba. If she is not busy conducting interviews or abusing the use of semicolons, she can most likely be found re-reading Ocean Vuong’s poetry or Everything I Never Told You; jamming out to her favorite music after midnight; or laughing softly after being mistaken for Claudia (again).

All content by Charlotte Cao
Larger papers overshadow local ones and, in response, many local papers end up disappearing or becoming what is known as “ghost newspapers:” publications whose staff is so small that it becomes nearly impossible to publish articles regularly.

Breaking News: Read your Local Newspaper

Charlotte Cao, Features Editor | December 8, 2021
According to instrumental music teacher Desmond Stevens, Portola High is the only school in IUSD to have its very own street piano but the music program would be more than happy to take any unwanted pianos off of another person’s hands.

Though instrumental music teacher Desmond Stevens does not play the piano by the theater, claiming he has “spatulas for hands,” he said he saw the value of leaving an instrument outside for the public. “We know that our student body has a lot of rich musical experience, whether or not they have the time in classes, so we wanted that opportunity for [the piano] to be open to anybody at any time,” Stevens said.

Meet Tyrolean

Charlotte Cao and Grace Baek | November 15, 2021
From haikus to free verse, poetry has the ability to touch our hearts by directly addressing the emotions that are difficult to properly explain.

A ‘Love Letter’ to Poetry

Charlotte Cao, News Editor | April 28, 2021
Senior Gina Cardini, along with her parents and younger brother, visit the Taj Mahal on one of the many excursions the family took during their time living in India. “I cherish those six years of my life with all my heart,” Cardini said. “Everything that I've done in those six years are literally some of my favorite memories in the world.”

Citizen of the World: Gina Cardini

Charlotte Cao, Co-News Editor | March 23, 2021

Development for a Covid-19 Vaccine Steadily Progresses

Charlotte Cao, Social Media and Marketing Team | March 18, 2020
Ethan and Carissa Qureshi competed at a USA Wrestling Tournament at Laguna Hills High on Oct. 5, 2019. The sibling duo, who had been training frequently after school, both placed first in their respective divisions.

Sibling Pair Competes and Connects through Wrestling

Charlotte Cao, Social Media & Marketing Team | February 12, 2020
During break, students can often find music directors Desmond Stevens and Kyle Traska conversing in the music room about topics ranging from instrumental compositions to the many ways that one can decorate a water bottle.

Instrumental Music Teachers Work Together in Perfect Harmony

Charlotte Cao, Social Media & Marketing Team | January 13, 2020
Taking a Look at Our Teachers' Favorite Animal Companions

Taking a Look at Our Teachers’ Favorite Animal Companions

Charlotte Cao, Social Media and Marketing Team | September 24, 2019
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Charlotte Cao