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
Erin Choi

Erin Choi, Co-Managing Editor

All content by Erin Choi
“Dear Evan Hansen” released in movie theaters on Sept. 24, starring Ben Platt as the titular character. While the film was written by Steven Lenson who wrote the narrative of the original Broadway show and directed by Stephen Chbosky, a director well known for previous works on adolescent mental health, the film received mixed response from audiences.

‘Dear Evan Hansen’ Translates Poorly to Big-Screen

October 14, 2021
The Bulldogs perform their end-of-game ritual, celebrating Portola’s 6-0 win streak as victorious cheers erupt from the students.

Bulldogs Leave a Victorious ‘Legacy’ against Beckman High Patriots

September 28, 2021
In adolescence, Michelle Zauner often clashed with her mother over nearly everything: clothes, studies, hair. The only common ground between them was their love for Korean food, ingredients that can be found in H Mart, a Korean-American supermarket chain. “Crying in H Mart” is dedicated to Zauner’s relationship with her mother.

Author Michelle Zauner Cries in H Mart: A Uniquely Korean Remembrance of Her Mother

May 27, 2021
600,000 children, ages 12-15, have received their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine across the nation, according to NBC News. Refer to the City of Irvine Covid-19 Resources for a nearby vaccination center.

Children Ages 12-15 Now Eligible for Vaccination

May 20, 2021
A quick Google search for “Boba in Irvine” on Google shows that there are 20 shops in Irvine alone. To such entities, the boba shortage poses risk of bankruptcy or unemployment; for many, carrying boba is a factor that pulls customers in.

Boba Shortage Casts Calamity onto Californians

May 5, 2021
Machine Learning Club president Lavanya Gupta starts the inter-school competition over Zoom to test students on their knowledge of machine learning, a type of data analysis that predicts decisions based on past patterns.

Machine Learning Club Launches First Club Competition

April 12, 2021
Junior Jay Hernandez assembled a box to store their Dungeons & Dragons supplies as well as smaller, unfinished art projects. Plastered on top of the box is a painting by Hernandez of the symbol of “The Bureau of Balance,” where most of the Balance Arc of the D&D podcast “Adventure Zone” starts. The symbol is adorned with forget-me-not flowers, which reference the main plot point of the podcast: to remember the past, according to Hernandez. “It was also a reminder to me to hold tight to the precious memories I’ve made with my friends,” Hernandez said.

Art through the Eyes of a Dungeon Master: Junior Jay Hernandez

March 8, 2021
American politics revolves around the Democratic and Republican parties; but according to NPR, Americans prefer government between the center. Pushed to choose between two extremes, many do not vote at all.

Americans Don’t Vote, but They Should

February 5, 2021
Alex and Ethan Zhang are in charge of the stock trading sect within the Finance and Stock Trading Club. Activities center around discussion of stock trading and new trends in the market.

Ethan and Alex Zhang Indulge in Stock Trading

February 1, 2021
Playing team-oriented sports while being physically distanced can create some disconnect between team players. “I think the biggest thing would be playing against each other as a team and going to the games and having that adrenaline rush and experiencing the program and playing in a competitive environment, as opposed to just getting better,” junior varsity volleyball player and sophomore Sarika Menon said.

Orange County Moving into Purple Tier and its Impact on Student Athletes

January 20, 2021
Gov. Newsom announced that California residents can now opt in for COVID-19 exposure notifications through the app “CA Notify.” According to Newsom, the app does not track location and is designed to help slow the transmission of COVID-19.

Newsom Issues New Lock-down Order

December 18, 2020
Pandemic Culture Transforms Patterns of Social Interaction

Pandemic Culture Transforms Patterns of Social Interaction

December 3, 2020
Anne Hathaway stars as the evil Grand High Witch. In Zemeckis’ adaptation, witches have bald heads, no toes and three knobbly, bird-like claws on each hand.

Zemeckis’ ‘The Witches’ Could Have Been Great

December 1, 2020
I tend to fill the paper a lot. Instead of just focusing on one main part, I like adding a lot of details and filling up the composition,” senior Grace Hong said.

Senior Grace Hong Sets No Limits for Creativity

November 18, 2020
Every Saturday mornings, sophomore and figure skater Katherine Chang practices at the Great Park ice rink in Orange County. Chang has been skating since she was 5 years old.

Sophomore Katherine Chang Reclaims Passion for Figure Skating

October 26, 2020
California’s dry climate nurtures forest fires. Homes surrounded by dry grass and bush are especially vulnerable to burning down.

California’s 2020 Forest Fire Season Deemed ‘The Worst’

September 18, 2020
Junior Justin Choi studied video essays and free YouTube lessons to learn about cinematography. Currently, he takes Video Production to learn more about camera work and filmmaking. See more on his Instagram account, @justinc.review.

Self-taught Critic Justin Choi Rates Movies, TV Shows and Games

September 14, 2020
From the very beginning, a vivid color palette injects vitality into each of the frames. Even battle scenes (which are conventionally dull and gray) are kept lively with pops of primary red.

Live-Action ‘Mulan’ Disappoints

September 11, 2020
Coach James Welker passes on knowledge of the building industry, which he garnered from his time under a general contractor. The pictures showcase household furniture and structures he has previously built.

Building Industry Technology Academy Teaches Handy Household Skills

May 25, 2020
Why Soap_ (4)

[Photo] Using Soap

April 16, 2020
Notable individual awards include seniors Simrat Singh for first place in Sports Writing, Farhad Taraporevala for third in Critical Review, Shawyan Rooein for third in Newspaper Layout, Ki Joon Lee for fourth place in Sports Writing, Ajinkya Rane for sixth place in Editorial Writing, Maya Sabbaghian for ninth place in Editorial Writing and Tiffany Wu for seventh place in Feature Writing.

Portola Pilot Secures Super Sweepstakes Award at Orange County Write-Offs

March 12, 2020
8. Top with pre-cooked steak.

Best of Both Ramens: Ram-Don Makes Appearance in Oscar-Winning Film ‘Parasite’

March 11, 2020
According to Pantoja, her surroundings are not obstacles that block her from writing. Instead, she views everything around herself as inspiration. “Whenever I come up with an idea I write it down anywhere. Sometimes it’s on my phone, sometimes it’s on a post it note,” she said. “You Matter to Me” is expected to be finalized and published by the end of Feb. 2020.

A Message from Maria Pantoja to You: ‘You Matter to Me’

February 24, 2020
The late Juice Wrld, along with XXXTentacion, Amy Winehouse, Aretha Frankling and many more was mourned by millinos after his unexpected death. The artists no longer here today are immortalized through their songs.

Rewinding Back to The Top Songs of the 2010s

January 6, 2020
Social Studies teacher Daniel Hunter extends his appreciation for American history by learning about colonial period recipes and trying them out.

Cooking in the 1700s with Daniel Hunter

December 20, 2019
Seniors in Winter Varsity Sports and the Gaps They Leave Behind

Seniors in Winter Varsity Sports and the Gaps They Leave Behind

December 16, 2019
Weekly vendors at the OC Great Park market sell locally-grown fruits and vegetables and exclusive, artisan-made products. The farmers market takes place in the Great Park on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Farmers and Artisans Congregate at the OC Great Park Farmers Market

November 26, 2019
Branching out from his original base of hip-hop, Kanye West has ventured into R&B, synth-pop, electro, soul, baroque pop and, most recently gospel.

Kanye West Decides to “Use This Gospel”: “Jesus is King” Album Review

November 20, 2019
Out of her desire for students to achieve college and career success. Pa Shia Escoto dedicates herself to helping students discover occupational courses.

ROP Career Specialist Prepares Students for Beyond High School

November 4, 2019

Diamond Jamboree’s Hottest

October 4, 2019
From left to right, counseling interns Jamie Murphy, Diana Gutierezz, and Chloe Pines help orient and support students throughout the tumultuous times of high school.

Chat with New Counseling Interns

September 23, 2019
Shifting from Senate to Council

Shifting from Senate to Council

September 18, 2019
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The student news site of Portola High School
Erin Choi