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
Maitri Allani

Maitri Allani, Media Director

Maitri Allani is the Media Director and a Business Manager for her second and final year of Portola Pilot. She loves to write and read, especially horrible romance books. She is extremely bisexual and an avid fan of Women’s soccer. She spends her time watching TV and sleeping. Computer science is her passion and she can code with Python, HTML, and Java. She is usually jamming out to Bollywood songs, BTS and Taylor Swift.

All content by Maitri Allani
Local community colleges, including Irvine Valley College and Saddleback College, as well as the University of California system, use Canvas as their primary learning management system. Thus, in order to prepare students for higher education, Canvas should be implemented early on in students’ careers.

Full-Fledged Learning Management Systems Benefit Everyone: Why Canvas Triumphs Google Classroom

Michael Sun and Maitri Allani | May 22, 2024
Taylor Swift’s 11th studio album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” is a melancholic reflection of Swift’s identity and past relationships. This album is arguably more dreamy compared to Swift’s previous ones, going along with the “Folklore” style with a more synth-pop vibe.

Taylor Swift Proves She “Can Do It With a Broken Heart” in Eleventh Studio Album

Claire Chan and Maitri Allani | May 2, 2024
Sophomore Avnit Kaur works to strengthen her case with her speech and debate teammates. “The thing I love about the Lincoln-Douglas style is that we have to debate on both the affirmative side and the negation side of the resolution,” Kaur said. “It really helps you think on both sides rather than being fixated on one idea.”

From Prep to Podium: Sophomore Avnit Kaur Lands a Spot at the State Debate Tournament

Alice Ahn and Maitri Allani | March 26, 2024
Sophomore Wonny Jang raises his shinai and strikes his opponent with precision. “My favorite part about kendo is the friendships I’ve been able to make,” Jang said. “I’ve met so many great people doing this activity and they’re definitely one of the top reasons why I keep going back to practices even when I don’t feel motivated.”

Wonny Jang ‘Strikes’ to the Top Through Kendo

Alice Ahn and Maitri Allani | March 5, 2024
Portola High can implement a better rain protection system by opening up more space for students at school. “Because it’s a Southern California school, it’s an outdoor school, so there’s really not much to do to protect kids from the rain,” junior Lulu (Jingxin) Zhao said. “However, I think it would be good if we could open more classrooms during rainy days too, so kids don’t have to eat out in lunch or crowd in the gym.”

Rain, Rain Go Away: Advocating for School Protection

Maitri Allani and Claire Chan | February 20, 2024
Defensive center midfielder, captain and senior Jaydn Kohan kicks the ball to the other side of the field for her teammates to receive. “I think it was a fair result, but I also thought we had a chance to win if we got one or two of the chances that we had,” head girls’ soccer coach Joshua Stringer said. “Our goal was to kind of counter into the space that we created by defending a little bit farther back in the field.”

Girl’s Soccer Puts Up a Valiant Effort Against Northwood High

Claire Chan and Maitri Allani | January 26, 2024
Goalie and freshman Chantal Alexander kicks the ball back into the playing field after Northwood High’s soccer team tries to score a goal. “She is a little more aggressive, a little bit more dynamic. Every game she has grown, so she has a bright future at Portola,” head girls soccer coach Joshua Stringer said.

Girls’ Soccer Goalie and Freshman Chantal Alexander Defends Her Way to Success

Maitri Allani and Claire Chan | January 18, 2024
Despite the 2023 SAG-AFTRA writers’ strike, Hollywood did not fail to deliver a sleigh full of enchanting new holiday films, ensuring that the magic of the season lit up screens with warmth.

‘Snow’ Thank You to These New Christmas Movies

Maitri Allani and Alice Ahn | December 20, 2023
Senior Jeremy Chae sings as sophomore Caleb Shin records his voice with a production software. Despite being the band’s lead vocalist, Chae’s primary instrument was not always voice. “Honestly, I never thought that I would sing,” Chae said. “I thought it was really scary, even though I did play violin. I never really liked the idea of performance.”

Senior Jeremy Chae ‘Blooms’ Christian Music Group Otic Orchid

Maitri Allani and Michael Sun | December 7, 2023
The 2023 Cricket World Cup final was the most watched match in the history of the tournament, boasting over 300 million spectators, according to ESPN. “It was fun,” senior Sehaj Sethi said. “Every ball, every run I was just hoping that Team India scores. It was really exciting, really thrilling.”

The ICC Cricket World Cup Ends in Disappointment for Indian Fans

Maitri Allani | December 1, 2023
Senior Anusha Namburu and senior Haniya Hassaan eat chicken biryani at the Diwali party hosted by the South Asian Student Association “The festivities are associated with firecrackers or explosions that only happen once a year and are often hallmarks of our childhood,” Portola High SASA club outreach director and senior Amogh Baddam said. “We’re just seeing everybody celebrate our culture and having fun together in traditional clothes.”

[Photo] South Asian Student Association Hosts 7th Annual Diwali Party

Aditi Salunkhe and Sonia Wang | November 20, 2023
Girls’ tennis co-captain and senior Victoria Sarabosing gets ready to return a serve. She was recruited by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) to play Division III Tennis. “Victoria has definitely become more of a leader this year and has led our girls into becoming closer,” girls varsity tennis assistant coach Maithy Do said. “That has led her to becoming a player that stands out, in addition to her commitment and the qualities that she brings to the team.”

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Shows Their ‘Love’ for Girls’ Varsity Tennis Captain and Senior Victoria Sarabosing

Alice Ahn and Maitri Allani | October 10, 2023
Right after Spain’s historic victory at the World Cup, former RFEF President Luis Rubiales unconsensually kissed player Jenni Hermoso on the lips. “I felt vulnerable and a victim of an impulse-driven, sexist, out of place act without any consent on my part,” Hermoso said in a statement on Instagram. “Simply put, I was not respected.”

How the Hermoso Incident Revealed the Innate Misogyny in the RFEF

Maitri Allani and Claire Chan | September 19, 2023
Jake (senior Nick Nieto) defends himself to his bandmates when they confront him over his addiction, which has been a continuing problem throughout his life.

Seniors’ Last Play is Anything but a ‘One Hit Wonder’

Maitri Allani and Claire Chan | June 2, 2023
Peter Pan (Alexander Molony) and Wendy Darling (Ever Gabo Anderson) fly off to Neverland in David Lowery’s live action adaptation “Peter Pan and Wendy.” The dark lighting of the scene eliminates the whimsical feeling that the scene is supposed to evoke.

Fly Away from ‘Peter Pan and Wendy’

Maitri Allani and Claire Chan | May 16, 2023
Junior Haaris Alam conducts virtual research on cells and their functions in University of California, Irvine’s online program with UCI associate professor of biomedical engineering Michelle Digman. Their team has plans to meet in person soon and study at a lab on campus. During quarantine, Alam created his own DIY gel electrophoresis kits to research from the safety of his own home.

Junior Haaris Alam Explores Biomedical Engineering through UCI Internship Program

Maitri Allani and Claire Chan | May 3, 2023
Junior Gabriel Mutsvangwa, junior Kate Niho, junior Taisho Shiono, freshman Jamie Youn, freshman Kesin Jayakumar, junior Michael Shen, sophomore Zoe Wynn, sophomore Arden Sundaram, junior Madison Curran and junior Emmett Lo take a group photo after winning ASB elected positions 2023-24. “I'm really proud that we take these elections seriously because I think it allows us to have a really solid group of people in ASB,” ASB and activities co-director Emily Sheridan said.

Portola High ASB Hosts its Fourth Annual Election Convention

Maitri Allani, Photo Editor | April 14, 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
Miley Cyrus released her eighth studio album, ‘Endless Summer Vacation’ on March 10. The album debuted at number 3 on the Billboard 200 this week, selling 103,000 equivalent album units, according to Billboard.

Miley Cyrus’ ‘Endless Summer Vacation’ Sounds Like an ‘Island’ Paradise

Maitri Allani, Photo Editor | March 24, 2023
The Super Bowl is one of the biggest sporting events of the year and has a lot of influence on the general public (NBC). Due to the extreme prevalence of the game in pop culture, advertisers try their hardest to make the best commercials possible to grab the attention of their audience.

Super Bowl Advertisements: The Fumbles and the Scores

Maitri Allani and Claire Chan | February 16, 2023
Junior and small forward Kalynne Abraham Mendez makes a free-throw during the second quarter, bringing the score to 27-25. in favor of Woodbridge High, on Jan. 31. The Bulldogs and the Warriors were neck and neck throughout the game.

Girls’ Basketball Wins Tight Victory Against Woodbridge

Maitri Allani and Claire Chan | February 8, 2023
Junior and chief communications officer Jasmine Davis and senior and accounting representative Saanvi Mekala present their board to convince other students to buy their products for their mock company Wella, which sells health products to teenagers.

Virtual Enterprise Competes and Wins at Trade Show

Maitri Allani, Staff Writer | December 14, 2022
England’s cricket team celebrates joyously as they win the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final against Pakistan at Melbourne Stadium on Nov. 17.

England Bats Their Way to ‘Six’ess in the T20 Cricket Final

Maitri Allani and Claire Chan | November 30, 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
Junior girls’ basketball player Kira Watanabe aims to shoot for the basket, as the Tillers attempt to block her from making the hoop, while sophomore Nanami Jackson and junior Kalynne Abraham Mendez try to help.

Girls’ Basketball ‘Shoots’ Ahead Against Tustin at the Start of the Winter Season

Maitri Allani and Claire Chan | November 29, 2022
The cover of Swift’s Moonstone Blue Version of “Midnight” perfectly captures the late night feeling and the title of the album. The vulnerability and various tones expressed within the album parallel the so-called, ‘late night thoughts’ one might experience at midnight.

‘Midnights’ By Taylor Swift Is Anything But Mediocre

Maitri Allani and Shaina Taebi | October 31, 2022
Fans of serial killers will send love and support to their idols, while the victims’ loved ones are trying to grieve.

Romanticizing Serial Killers Harms the Victims

Maitri Allani, Photo Editor | October 21, 2022
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Maitri Allani