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
Kayleen Kim

Kayleen Kim, Opinion Editor

Kayleen Kim is the Opinion Editor for her second year on the Portola Pilot. She’s looking forward to working on editorials with the Editorial Board and constantly bothering writers to write in the opinion section. When she’s not writing her novel, drinking boba, or advocating for students to read local news, she’s probably practicing cello, trying new recipes she found on TikTok, or giving kisses to her dog, Tofu <3.

All content by Kayleen Kim
The “practice makes perfect” myth could overpower a musician’s practice. Often, this myth perpetuates a feeling of imperfection and frustration that could lapse in time.

A Journey to Break Free from the ‘Practice Makes Perfect’ Myth

Kayleen Kim, Opinion Editor | May 31, 2023
Senior Molly Lamon-Paredes listens to senior Katherine Martinez while they sit together during lunch, going over the reinforcement list, a method of positive behavioral reinforcement for those with disabilities.

Senior Katherine Martinez Advocates for the Disability Community

Kayleen Kim, Opinion Editor | May 9, 2023
Science teacher Leanne Jimenez explains the next year’s different course options to eighth-period honors chemistry students on Friday. According to Jimenez, physics is a required course to take in junior year, whether it be a CP or AP level.

Science Teacher Leanne Jimenez Applies Uruguayan Educational Methods in the Classroom

Kayleen Kim and Mary Lee | April 10, 2023
Freshman Leila Ceranic does backstroke, the only swim stroke that is performed on the back and one of the four swimming styles in competitive swimming, during the varsity practice on Tuesday.

Leila Ceranic Makes a Splash As the Only Freshman on the Varsity Team

Kayleen Kim and Hannah Ko | March 31, 2023
Students entertain themselves with poker games organized by the Bowers Museum staff in the main hall. Historical artifacts on display served as popular photo backgrounds for students.

‘Roaring Twenties’ Winter Formal Hosts A Casino Night

Kayleen Kim and Hannah Ko | February 13, 2023
Girls Tennis Infographic - 1

Cheers to the end of the Girls’ Tennis Season: a Recap of New Accomplishments

December 16, 2022

[Video] Have a Slice of Apple Pie: Two Variations

Kayleen Kim and Arshia Sista | December 5, 2022
The song “Bloodline” by pop singer Ariana Grande was performed by Dance Company members junior Lauren Chiang, Doolaege, junior Katie Lee, sophomore Claire Fleming, junior Holly Zhang and seniors Hannah Mou and Sarah Mou, who danced confidently in this number.

‘Silver Screen’ Dance Concert Rewinds to Past Musicals and Movies

Maitri Allani and Kayleen Kim | November 29, 2022
Special segment producer and senior Daisy Liao hooks up the camera to the stand for the shooting of the Belonging project in the green room. “Every single year, we can create a video like this where we get a bunch of many students into one video and ask them, ‘What does this emotion or what does the theme of this school year mean to you?’” Liao said.

Promoting Acceptance: The Belonging Project

Kayleen Kim and Shaina Taebi | November 1, 2022
Portola Singer and senior Kori Martinez sings the National Anthem representing Portola Choir.

[Photo] Fall into Autumn at the Homecoming Pep Rally

October 24, 2022
Girls’ athletics commissioner and senior Alex Richmond and junior class president Michael Shen lead juniors and sophomores in the Bulldog Rumble, one of the new school cheers introduced at the rally.

First Indoor Pep Rally Since 2020 Starts the School Year Off Strong

Kayleen Kim | September 3, 2022
Kody Lin Finds her Voice in the Realm of Musical Theater

Kody Lin Finds her Voice in the Realm of Musical Theater

Kayleen Kim, Opinion Editor | June 1, 2022
For senior Aarushi Shankar, the flute provides many opportunities to create melodies and find out what she likes in her compositions. “I take my flute, and I start playing a melody. Then I work around things,” Shankhar said. “If I hear something that I like, I save that, and I write it in… Then I started working out like harmonies and chords. So thats super helpful for me, because its a lot harder for me to just sing out like a melody.”

Aarushi Shankar ‘Composes’ Her Life Through ‘bitterness’

Kayleen Kim and Claudia Lin | April 29, 2022
In the high jump event, junior Alex Richmond shoots herself in the air using momentum to pull herself over the bar. The goal was to jump over the bar off of one foot and she arches her back as it goes over the bar and lets it fall afterward.

Run and Raise Racquets for Multisport Athlete Alex Richmond

Kayleen Kim, Staff Writer | April 14, 2022
Spring Sports and Programs Blossom at Pep Rally

Spring Sports and Programs Blossom at Pep Rally

Arshia Sista and Kayleen Kim | March 18, 2022
Boys’ tennis dances to a TikTok remix of the song “Playboy” by JX.zero to celebrate their reigning success as division two CIF Southern Section champions.

[Photo]

Before the spring pep rally starts, ASB president and senior Amitoj Singh waves the Bulldog flag to bring the energy up of the student body. Preparing for the rally involved a lot of coordination among different groups such as sports teams, VAPA department and dodgeball tournament participants, according to spirit and rally commissioner and senior Natalie Ho. “My most memorable moment for me was athlete runouts,” Ho said. “I always think it’s so fun to see what the teams have decided to do for their runout, and it’s a good way to introduce the new season sports, and I hope people are encouraged to participate more in school events or activities because it’s fun to be involved and to be a part of the rallies, too.”

[Photo]

Portola Singers member and senior Jonathan Truong sings the National Anthem to begin the rally. He practiced with both choir director Adrian Rangel-Sanchez and vocal coach Jason Pano. “I chose that pep rally to perform since I’ll be graduating soon, so I wanted to leave the school knowing I did something as honorable as doing ‘The Star-Spangled Banner,’” Truong said. “ The special moment I had was when I sang “O’er the land of the free”. I was thinking to myself in this moment that I wanted to make people really enjoy this performance, so I held it out for the best I could think I was able to and wrapped up the song.”

[Photo]

After the dodgeball tournament, girls’ lacrosse runs onto the field with their sticks and dances to a trending TikTok remix of “Drive You 2 (Jersey Club)” by rapper Retroj.

[Photo]

For students who feel that AP Physics 1 is too daunting or that CP Physics wouldn’t be the best fit for their interests or abilities, Principles of Engineering can offer an alternative that involves a survey of the applications of physics. However, the focus is placed on fostering interest in engineering rather than making the course an intermediate course in physics, according to physics and engineering teacher Anthony Pham — a possible reason that it has gone under the radar for many students entering their junior year.

‘Hidden’ Classes: How Can Engineering Courses Be Better Promoted During Course Selection?

Kayleen Kim and Justin Tang | March 15, 2022
Sophomore Nithila Francis, with the other fourteen students, were selected for the Southern California Vocal Association Regional Honor Choir, the most selected from any high school in Southern California.

Sophomore Nithila Francis Uses Music to Connect to her Past, Present and Future

Kayleen Kim and Zara Shirwany | March 9, 2022
Ho, about to hit the ball in the third round with a forehand swing, concentrates deeply on getting the aim and direction over the net with his forehand swing.

Boys’ Tennis ‘Serves’ a Win against Irvine High

Kayleen Kim, Staff Writer | March 9, 2022
On a trip back to Ohio in 2021, sophomore Rory Miller hugs her best friend Ursuline Academy sophomore Gwenny Hesketh, who she has not seen in over six months. Miller had attended Ursuline Academy while living in Ohio.

Sophomore Rory Miller ‘Globetrots’ Around the World

Kayleen Kim, Staff Writer | January 12, 2022
Attracting many students to the lunch performance event in the beginning of lunch, ASB president and senior Amitoj Singh sings “thank you, next” by Ariana Grande. He sings while the orchestra, band, and choir members get set up to perform right after.

Fine Arts Lunch Performance ‘Rapped’ up the Semester with Holiday Tunes

Kayleen Kim and Ryan Jung | December 16, 2021
Senior Thivinya Kobbekaduwa holds up a Sri Lankan flag. Kobbekaduwa was born in Sri Lanka and was inspired to give back to her home city of Kobbekaduwa after hearing news of underfunded schools in Sri Lanka from her aunt.

Thivinya Kobbekaduwa Helps Underprivileged Sri Lankans Skim Through a New Chapter of Education

Kayleen Kim, Staff Writer | November 22, 2021
Many felt the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, whether that be in regards to mental health, physical health or academics. Freshman Zoe Wynn was particularly affected in regards to her golfing game. “When COVID hit, it was kind of challenging for me because I wasnt able to practice, and all I did was hit on this mat at home, and I got really bad at golf,” Wynn said. “I just told myself that if I keep trying, then I will see the progress eventually, and more practice cant hurt. So I just kept doing it.”

Freshman Golfer Zoe Wynn is Ace-ing the Competition

Cara Chan and Kayleen Kim | November 4, 2021
How to Cope with Rejection

How to Cope with Rejection

Kayleen Kim, Staff Writer | October 19, 2021
Sophomore Quinn Schatz asked sophomore Lisa Liu to Homecoming after second period and she was very excited to see that he took the time to cut up tennis balls for the proposal.

Personalize that Proposal

Kayleen Kim and Arshia Sista | October 19, 2021
Who is Buster? A Look Into the Human behind the Bulldog

Who is Buster? A Look Into the Human behind the Bulldog

Kayleen Kim and Tyler Kim | October 18, 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

Erin Choi, Kayleen Kim, and Tara Vatandoust | September 28, 2021
Students gathered in the mosh pit and formed a circle while jumping to the music, “Baby” by Justin Bieber. Most ASB members were found in the center of the pit holding flashlights, surrounded by the three other graduating classes.

Welcome Back Dance makes Comeback after COVID-19

Kayleen Kim and Shaina Taebi | September 3, 2021
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The student news site of Portola High School
Kayleen Kim