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
Sruti Allani

Sruti Allani, Back Page Editor

Sruti Allani is the Back Page Editor for her second year on the Portola Pilot. This year, she cannot wait to write as many stories as possible now that she has finally gotten the hang of things in Pilot. When she’s not watching random videos on YouTube, you can find her studying hard for her AP classes or making banana bread with her mom. Although she has a lot to say, she still loves to listen to all the different stories on campus. 

All content by Sruti Allani
Voters fill out their ballots with the Orange County Registrar at the Central Library in Huntington Beach. Due to controversy that illegible citizens were voting, the Orange County registrar has faced scrutiny. “We have a very good registrar of voters,” Irvine City Councilmember Kathleen Tresseder said. “And we have lots of voters in the county, probably around 800,000. The fact that they found 17 folks on the rolls that may not be eligible to vote, I think it is very small.”

The Department of Justice Sues Orange County Over Voter Records

Sruti Allani, Back Page Editor | October 15, 2025
Sabrina Carpenter’s new album, “Man’s Best Friend,” has a diverse array of songs that pay homage to older production styles while also showcasing Carpenter’s experimentation.

Sabrina Carpenter’s New Album “Man’s Best Friend” Is Spunky and Retro In All The Right Ways

Sruti Allani and Siri Kolanupaka | September 12, 2025
“Lilo & Stitch” brought in over $300 million at the global box office, far surpassing its $85 million production budget, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

[Photo] Live Action “Lilo & Stitch” Film ‘Stitches’ Together a Story of Family and Love

Aditi Salunkhe, Co-News Editor | June 2, 2025
Despite the recent popularity of the USC Speak Your Mind Challenge, there is a lack of people addressing the original reasons behind the movement. While new trends continue to spread, students need to pause and ask themselves, “Why does it matter?”

More Than a Trend: Mental Health Deserves More Than a Bucket of Ice

Sruti Allani, Staff Writer | May 14, 2025
The Crochet Corner club presents a booth to sell items crocheted by its members. “People are so nice and supportive,” Crochet Corner president and sophomore Anusha Jauhri said. “I think events like these are so important since it gives opportunities to more art-based clubs to show what they have been working on because sometimes that goes unnoticed.”

A Night to Remember: Portola Artists Shine Bright at Night of the Arts

Sruti Allani, Staff Writer | April 25, 2025
Playboi Carti’s long-awaited third album, “MUSIC,” has fans divided. Although all 30 of its songs charted on the Billboard Hot 100, some say it's bold and innovative, while others cannot get behind the chaotic production.

Playboi Carti’s New Album “Music” Drops, but so Does Interest

Sruti Allani and Siri Kolanupaka | March 28, 2025
Starbucks released a seasonal menu including three new Valentine’s Day themed drinks and two desserts on Feb 4.

[Photo] Starbucks’ Valentine’s Day Menu Brings Vibrant Flavors to Life Through Drinks and Desserts

Siri Kolanupaka, Staff Writer | February 21, 2025
Valentine’s Day was an opportunity for students and staff to celebrate all kinds of relationships. “Valentine’s Day is just a fun and easy holiday,” science teacher Michael Tang said, “It’s good for the economy. It’s good for people to go out and spend money on others.”

How Bulldogs Spent Their Valentine’s Day

Siri Kolanupaka and Sruti Allani | February 21, 2025
Junior and dual-enrolled student Claire Hsin is able to work on her IVC assignments on her own time, “I could finish my assignments whenever I wanted since they are posted ahead of time,” Hsin said.

Dual Enrollment: Double the Classes, Double the Opportunity

Sruti Allani and Olivia Ganes | January 14, 2025
“Moana 2” rehashes the original film in an uncreative way, falling flat in plot structure and storytelling despite captivating visuals and upbeat songs. Unlike the original “Moana” (2016), the sequel included songs that were eerily similar to the first and shallow new characters that fail to entertain.

“Moana 2” Is a Sequel that’s Lost at Sea

Siri Kolanupaka and Sruti Allani | December 9, 2024
Ofrendas created by Spanish Two were displayed in the upper 1000 Student Commons. “The students in the Chinese class and the students from the French program also came to join,” said Spanish teacher Otto Lopez. “Almost 350 students at school participated in the tradition.”

Honoring Tradition: Students Remember the Spirit of Dia de los Muertos at Portola High

Nora Aljazzar and Sruti Allani | November 8, 2024
Clothing Carousel vice president and sophomore Ethan Nguyen logs the clothing exchanges in the club’s very first event.

Swap, Don’t Shop: Clothing Carousel Club

Sruti Allani and Hannah Ko | October 30, 2024
Senior Hau Le takes the lead as the students featured in the fall play ‘Puffs’ introduce themselves while clad in yellow costumes, configured by Tech Theatre. “Closing night, the audience was fantastic. I remember the end scene, the battle scene, people were screaming, people were laughing,” Sally Perks and sophomore Coco Marshall said.

Portola High Fall Play “Puffs”: A Silly Spin On the Story of Hufflepuffs at Hogwarts Charms Audience

Siri Kolanupaka and Sruti Allani | October 24, 2024
Gage Peterson and Sasha Lo are looking forward to an exciting year as Portola High counselors. “I think they're a great fit for our team,” Assistant Principal Jen Ochsner said. “I just hope that our students continue to feel supported by all of our counseling staff.”

Meet Gage Peterson and Sasha Lo: New Counselors Join the Bulldog Team

Sruti Allani and Catherine Li | October 21, 2024
Senior Zoe Wynn hits the golf ball with a swift drive swing. Wynn’s dedication to perfecting various swing techniques throughout her golf career allowed her to experience many wins. “I've seen Zoe at her highs, as when she won league as a freshman,” girls’ golf coach and history teacher Wind Ralston said. “I've seen her at her lows as well, when she maybe hasn't had the best round. But I would say she was my first golfer who came to me with a lot of skill initially which I was not used to. It's been great to see her grow and evolve as a player. Zoe is always fun, even when she may not have the best round, she still is having fun and her personality is contagious and makes other girls just want to have fun.”

Senior Zoe Wynn Commits to Williams College, Aiming for a Bright Future on the Green

Hannah Ko and Sruti Allani | October 2, 2024
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The student news site of Portola High School
Sruti Allani