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
Emma Haag

Emma Haag, Sports Editor

Emma Haag is the 2021-2022 Sports Editor for the second year, and it is her third year as a part of the Portola Pilot. Emma has a strong interest in sports in general, as well as sports reporting and photography. Outside of the Portola Pilot, her favorite classes are any in S.T.E.M and is a part of Portola Pep Squad! She enjoys listening to RnB and rap, especially SZA and Don Toliver. She is more than thrilled to see what the new year has to offer!

All content by Emma Haag
‘Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers:’Kendrick Lamar’s Perspective on Society Today

‘Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers:’Kendrick Lamar’s Perspective on Society Today

Emma Haag and Kayla Moshayedi | May 31, 2022
Whereas freshmen acceptance rates to UCLA hover around 12 to 16 percent, members of IVC’s Transfer Alliance Program are accepted to UCLA at rates between 70 to 85 percent, according to the IVC website.

Community College–a Stepping Stone to Greater Opportunities

Emma Haag and Ryan Jung | May 27, 2022

Senior Send-off: Seniors of the Portola Pilot Reflect on the Year

Emma Haag and Nate Taylor | May 26, 2022
S2 Episode 05: Crunch, Munch, Scrunch — A Punch of ASMR

S2 Episode 05: Crunch, Munch, Scrunch — A Punch of ASMR

Ryne Dunman, Emma Haag, and Kayla Moshayedi | May 3, 2022
McCarthy (shown here holding his lacrosse stick) instructs his players to select their jerseys ahead of their first league game against the Woodbridge Warriors on March 7.

[Photo] Meet Matthew McCarthy: New Boys’ Lacrosse Assistant Coach

Aadi Mehta and Clara Ferreira Lopes | March 4, 2022
Flyer and freshman Hanna Kim hits a scale at a Portola High practice on Feb. 4. The preparation for the USA All Star Grand Championships involves a mix of performances at sports events – like basketball games – and independent competitive practices after school each day.

[Photo] Cheer Wins First Place at USA Regionals, Will Advance to Nationals

Ryne Dunman, Co-Editor-in-Chief | February 9, 2022
With all of the issues people had with this album’s release, Kanye West repaid that debt tenfold with amazing hooks, vocals, production, and features. West, again, solidifies himself as the creator of one of the best albums of the year so far. Rest in peace Donda West.

Kanye West’s Long Awaited Album is Finally Done-da

Emma Haag and Kayla Moshayedi | September 15, 2021
CDC Lifting of Safety Requirements Poses a Huge Threat

CDC Lifting of Safety Requirements Poses a Huge Threat

Emma Haag, Sports Editor | May 27, 2021
While students may challenge themselves by taking on a rigorous course load packed with APs, they should have the self-knowledge to drop courses if their mental health falters.

To Manage AP-Related Stress, Student Initiative Is the Key to Success

Emma Haag and Ryan Jung | May 10, 2021
The effects of climate change will become irreversible by 2030 unless drastic measures are taken to protect the planet, according to the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. “I feel like every day should be Earth Day. It’s important to recognize just how precious the planet that we live on is,” science teacher Michael Tang said. “There’s nothing like it. As of now, we don’t know of any planet that’s habitable like ours, and so it's very important for us to learn and to remember that we need to be good stewards of the Earth.”

Students and Staff Plant Awareness to Celebrate Earth Day

Emma Haag and Lauren Hsu | May 5, 2021
Mainstream pop artists: Doja Cat and J Balvin; rap artists BROCKHAMPTON, A$AP Ferg and A$AP Rocky; and r&b artists SZA and Khalid released their long-awaited music on April 9 that had fans anticipating the release.

Hot New Releases to Add to Your Spring Jams

Emma Haag and Kayla Moshayedi | April 21, 2021
Vice president candidate and junior Stella Jung and newly elected ASB president and junior Amitoj Singh hang posters around Portola High to publicize their campaign. ASB candidates used a combination of posters and flyers and hung them on stairwells and bulletin boards.

Introducing the 2021-22 Elected ASB Officials

Emma Haag, Sports Editor | March 26, 2021
AP U.S. History teacher Wind Ralston prepares his students for their online AP exam by practicing analyzing a political cartoon. AP U.S. History is one of the classes that includes all units from the curriculum and will not exclude any units due to the pandemic.

Portola High Selects 2nd Testing Window for Upcoming AP Exams

Emma Haag | March 4, 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic has only served to exacerbate socioeconomic disadvantages for students, as was made clear by last year's AP testing missteps. As AP season approaches in May, measures must be taken to ensure that external impacts on students' performances from slow Internet connections, disabilities, or family responsibilities are minimized.

Equity Remains Key to 2021 AP Testing

Emma Haag and Justin Tang | January 29, 2021
Netflix's hit television series "Cobra Kai" has been renewed for its fourth season which is scheduled to release January 2022 with the original cast and more guests.

Season Three of Netflix’s ‘Cobra Kai’ Honors Original ‘Karate Kid’ Films

Emma Haag and Kayla Moshayedi | January 29, 2021
After going viral on TikTok and other social media platforms, teens all around the world are watching Megan Is Missing, a horror/thriller movie all about a teenager going missing after meeting a fake person online.

Mediocre Movie Gains Popularity for Obscene Content: ‘Megan is Missing’

Emma Haag and Kayla Moshayedi | January 13, 2021
Looking for a means to support their families by driving to school themselves, student drivers must grapple with whether the stress alleviated with a parking permit is worth its $40 per semester cost. Despite this, it is important to keep in mind that lowering the price of a parking permit would raise more serious concerns from a campus perspective than it would resolve.

[Photo] Look To Student Responsibilities In Lieu of Lower Parking Costs

Justin Tang, Staff Writer | January 6, 2021
Shalonda Abubakar, the newest addition to IUSD’s community liaison team, is a resource for anyone in the Black and African-American community. She believes a positive mindset can hear everyone for success.

Shalonda Abubakar Joins IUSD as Community Liaison for Black and African-American Families

Emma Haag, Ariana Wu, and Michelle Kim | December 11, 2020
Due to Covid-19 safety guidelines, Portola locker rooms remain closed until case numbers fall. The closure has caused concerns for some students, while others do not mind.

[Photo] Locker Rooms Remain Closed Due to COVID-19

Kayla Moshayedi and Ariana Wu | December 9, 2020
Mindfulness Despite Madness

Mindfulness Despite Madness

Emma Haag, Lauren Hsu, and Kayla Moshayedi | December 7, 2020
It is believed that every zodiac sign has their own distinct traits. While one’s zodiac sun sign plays a large part in determining personality traits, the moon and the rising signs can attribute individuals with more specific traits.

Do Their Zodiac Signs Make These Teachers Compatible?

Emma Haag, Kayla Moshayedi, and Zara Shirwany | December 7, 2020

VAPA Requirement Restricts Students from Finding True Passions

Emma Haag and Kayla Moshayedi | November 30, 2020
Families from every part of the United States have their own Thanksgiving traditions, many of which include unique recipes. From something as classic as pumpkin pie, to a variety of cultural foods, Thanksgiving dinner is guaranteed to bring people together.

A Guide to the Perfect Thanksgiving Table

Emma Haag and Kayla Moshayedi | November 26, 2020
While Grande has been able to produce a number of popular songs, “positions,” “34+35” and “pov” from her new album “Positions” are currently ranked in the top 50 songs of the Billboard Hot 100.

Ariana Grande Releases Third Hit Album in Past Two Years

Emma Haag and Kayla Moshayedi | November 23, 2020
As both one of Portola High's key graduation requirements and a prerequisite to many colleges including the UCs, visual and performing arts classes are a part of every student's high school experience.

H2H: Can VAPA Requirements Expand Student Learning?

Ryan Jung, Emma Haag, and Kayla Moshayedi | November 11, 2020
Senior Sonia Goyal wraps each sticker with tissue paper and twine when packaging her products. She usually orders in bulk and packages each sticker separately for different customers, or she orders in bulk and sends the entire box of stickers to the buyer.

Student Small Businesses : Senior Sonia Goyal’s Art Sticks Out From the Rest

Ariana Wu and Emma Haag | October 23, 2020
After many years of debate experience, Singh says testing his abilities at an extremely high level, he is finally able to see his progress, and is proud of how far he has come.

Junior Amitoj Singh Cuts Close to Nationals at Yale Invitational Debate Tournament

Krisha Konchadi and Emma Haag | October 22, 2020
Musicians Joji (left), Bryson Tiller (middle) and 21 Savage (right) all released new hit albums within the last month for fans to play on repeat. Each artist made a comeback with a refreshing twist to their old styles, surprising many fans but disappointing others.

Finally, New Music to Add to My Playlist: Bryson Tiller, Joji and 21 Savage

Kayla Moshayedi and Emma Haag | October 16, 2020
With the increased use of social media apps such as Instagram, TikTok and Twitter, cancel culture has grown to take a larger toll on celebrities and influencers than it ever has before.

The Toxic Rise of Cancel Culture

Emma Haag and Madeleine Young | October 14, 2020
Zendaya Coleman makes history with her Emmy Award for her role as Rue Bennett in HBO drama series “Euphoria," beating out actresses Jodie Comer, Sandra Oh, Olivia Colman, Jennifer Aniston and Laura Linney.

Zendaya Makes History after Winning Emmy for HBO’s ‘Euphoria’

Kayla Moshayedi and Emma Haag | October 7, 2020
PHS Ambassadors typically give campus tours before the start of the school year, but due to COVID-19 regulations, changes had to be made.

PHS Ambassadors Find New Ways to Work Under COVID-19 Regulations

Emma Haag, Sports Editor | October 7, 2020
The University of California's(UC) vote to phase out the SAT/ACT helps and benefits students to their advantage or are a detriment to other students compared to others.

H2H: University of California Drops SAT/ACT Requirements

Emma Haag and Kayla Moshayedi | September 18, 2020

UCs Dropping SAT/ACT Benefits Classes 2021 to 2024

Emma Haag, Sports Editor | September 18, 2020
Although AP classes on campus typically start junior year, some sophomores had the option to take AP Computer Science Principles and AP Human Geography. Specific APs, like world language APs, had unique submissions such as portfolios and voice recordings.

College Board’s Lack of Concern for Students Landed Them a Lawsuit

Emma Haag and Krisha Konchadi | June 3, 2020
Video Production teacher Tina Murphy and junior Madison Empalmado, the new social media producer, special segment producer and reporter, wanted to display the key features of their studio: the painted-on green screen and lights. PNN often uses their Instagram (@portolanewsnetwork) to publicize their show.

PNN Anchors Down their Leadership for the 2020-21 School Year

Emma Haag and Ariana Wu | May 28, 2020
Portola High obtained the 1st Team Safe Sports School Award for following both the requirements and the recommendations set by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association. Examples of categories include athlete injury protocol, athletic clearance processes and procedures for emergencies like earthquakes or fires.

[Photo] Portola High Becomes First IUSD School to Secure Safe Sports School Award

Lauren Hsu, Staff Writer | May 22, 2020
Literary and language arts teacher Doris Schlothan is one of the teachers who has been using the TikTok app to connect with students through their witty videos.

Teacher TikToks: Spread Positivity during Quarantine

Emma Haag and Celine Lee | May 7, 2020

With Social Media, Maybe Isolation Isn’t So Bad After All

Emma Haag, Staff Writer | April 23, 2020
Uzi may have meticulously planned the release date of March 6, the 66th day of 2020, to show the numbers “666” to represent his affiliation with satanism.

Lil Uzi Vert Debuts His Three Personas in ‘Eternal Atake’

Emma Haag and Krisha Konchadi | March 27, 2020

Spring Sports Postponed

Emma Haag, Staff Writer | March 18, 2020
The Alley had its grand opening on Feb.17, when the first 100 people were eligible to receive free merchandise and a half-off drink price. Since its opening, there is often a line outside the store.

The Alley is an Ally for All Boba Lovers

Emma Haag and Krisha Konchadi | March 16, 2020

High school Relationships Positively Benefit Teens

Emma Haag, Staff Writer | March 2, 2020
In an interview with Elite Daily, Robert Glatter, an assistant professor of emergency medicine at Lenox Hill Hospital, explains how having a crush on someone can cause the release of dopamine and serotonin. Due to the release of these "feel-good" chemicals, the beginning stages of love can make you feel good mentally, and may even act as a form of self-motivation.

How Does Your Crush Make You Feel?

Krisha Konchadi, Emma Haag, and Minnah Tanzeen | February 26, 2020
Boys basketball celebrates its league win after senior Mohsen Hasheimi shoots a game-winning shot in the last second of the game. The teammates celebrate their comeback after losing to Beckman 49-60 earlier in the season.

Bulldogs Take First in League with Last Minute Shot

Emma Haag and Krisha Konchadi | February 4, 2020

Teachers React to TikToks

Emma Haag, Krisha Konchadi, and Minnah Tanzeen | January 28, 2020
Literary and language arts teacher Kate Avery has been teaching for a total of four years, three at Portola High. She teaches three sections of Honors Dystopian Literature and two sections of Honors American Literature.

Writing or Grading Essays: Who has the Easier Job?

Emma Haag, Staff Writer | January 17, 2020
Freshman Moka Saiki shoots a two-point shot during practice to prepare for the upcoming winter season. The next varsity girls’ basketball game will be on Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. against Capistrano Valley High.

Freshmen Girls Take on Varsity Winter Sports

Emma Haag, Staff Writer | November 19, 2019
Athletic trainer Kathryn Cleek tapes a student’s ankle before practice. Approximately five hours of Cleek’s day is designated for treating athletes with both short-and-long term injuries.

New Athletic Trainer is “Living the Pedigree”

Emma Haag, Staff Writer | November 19, 2019
Kombucha is a probiotic-rich beverage that provides many health benefits including enhancing digestive and liver health. The company, Health-Ade Kombucha is a Los Angeles-based company that strives to have the “best tasting and highest quality kombucha,” according to their website.

Reviewing Kombucha, the Famously-Fermented Fizzy Drink

Emma Haag and Bia Shok | November 18, 2019
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
Tight end and senior Joey Omar scores a touchdown in the first quarter, putting Portola in the lead with the score of 6-0.

First Ever Bulldog Win Against Beckman High

Emma Haag and Bia Shok | October 15, 2019
Freshmen side flyers Demetris Owens and Katelyn Toulmin stands next to sophomore center flyer Hailey Kim, in a stunt at a junior varsity football match against Laguna Hills High.

[Photo] Cheer Flies Into Season with New System

Bia Shok, Staff Writer | October 9, 2019
After a long day in the classroom, coach Allison Leyva readily heads to three hours of pep squad practice.

Welcoming New Cheer Coach Allison Leyva to the Bulldog Family

Emma Haag, Staff Writer | September 20, 2019
Senior and co-captain Dylan Gates aggressively swims towards a Crean Lutheran player, in an attempt to steal the ball. Being able to quickly transition from defense to offense with swift turnovers was one of Portola’s strengths that lead to the team’s victory.

[Photo] Boys’ Water Polo Makes A Splash

Farhad Taraporevala and Manan Mediratta | September 13, 2019
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The student news site of Portola High School
Emma Haag