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
Kelthie Truong

Kelthie Truong, Managing Editor

Kelthie Truong is a Co-Managing Editor for the 2020-21 school year, her second and final year with the Pilot. When she’s not in the newsroom, you can find her seconds-away from burning her latest cooking experiment or affectionately watering her houseplants. She is strangely enthralled with early 2000s music and is actively seeking more vintage pants to purchase.

All content by Kelthie Truong
In the climax of the first season, Alina decides to stop hiding from the world and use her abilities to defend innocent Ravkans from the oppressive rule of General Kirigan, also known as the Darkling.

[Photo] ‘Shadow and Bone’ Captivates with Echoes of Today’s World

Kate Hayashi and Zara Shirwany | May 26, 2021
From haikus to free verse, poetry has the ability to touch our hearts by directly addressing the emotions that are difficult to properly explain.

[Photo] A ‘Love Letter’ to Poetry

Charlotte Cao, News Editor | April 28, 2021
Online classes do not offer social interaction for students who may need it for a better high school experience.

[Photo] Students Should Consider The Benefits of Traditional Instruction Model

Sidra Asif, Staff Writer | April 27, 2021
The fight for stricter gun laws, including a ban on assault weapons and semi-automatic rifles, has once again attained spotlight in the media following multiple mass shootings in the past month.

[Photo] America Needs to End its Outdated Gun System

Aadi Mehta, Staff Writer | April 16, 2021
Brands such as Aunt Jemima, Uncle Ben, Land O’Lakes, Cleveland Indians and Washington Redskins have forcefully been labeled as racial stereotypes by liberal activists and the media.

[Photo] H2H: Should Companies Rebrand Products Following Recent Racial Justice Movements?

March 24, 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.

[Photo] Equity Remains Key to 2021 AP Testing

Emma Haag and Justin Tang | January 29, 2021
Physical education equipment custodian Noe Belmudez cleans the sinks in one of the restrooms during second period with a special disinfectant. During each period, the custodial staff must clean every restroom on campus, as well as any other area classified as a high touch point.

Custodial Staff Wipes Away Student Concerns

Akshay Raj and Kelthie Truong | January 13, 2021
The scope of activism becomes limited when ideas are recycled, shutting off avenues to conflicting beliefs.

Escaping the Echo Chamber

Charlotte Cao and Kelthie Truong | December 16, 2020
Social studies teacher Virginia Nguyen began a book club this summer to facilitate anti-racism work within IUSD. Over 80 educators have participated so far. Nguyen uses “So You Want to Talk About Race” by Ijeoma Oluo to guide discussions on how to destigmatize the topic of race and implement these conversations in various environments.

Staff and Students Bring Discussions on Racial Equality to the Classroom

Kelthie Truong, Managing Editor | September 30, 2020
Quarantine Brings New Meaning to Comfort Foods

Quarantine Brings New Meaning to Comfort Foods

Jaein Kim and Kelthie Truong | September 24, 2020
Avatar: The Last Airbender (ATLA) revolves around a world where characters have the ability to control, or bend, one element—water, earth, fire or air—with the exception of the Avatar, who can control all four elements. The show is particularly captivating due to the friendship between the main protagonists: Aang, the Avatar; Katara, a waterbender; Sokka, Katara’s brother; Toph, an earthbender and Zuko, a firebender whose goal is to capture the Avatar.

[Photo] Bending the Rules: How ‘Avatar: the Last Airbender’ Remains Timeless

Charlotte Cao and Claudia Lin | September 15, 2020
Playing the first Black superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, late actor Chadwick Boseman’s portrayal of T’Challa in Black Panther is a milestone for the Black community.

Remembering Chadwick Boseman: The Loss of a Superhero

Kelthie Truong and Sidra Asif | September 10, 2020
Literary and language arts teacher Jeanne Jelnick, also lovingly known as "Momma J" by students and staff alike, has taught high school students for several decades at University High and Portola High. Throughout her career, she has been recognized for her dedication to education, having made a home for students in her classroom.

[Photo] Thank You, Momma J

Helena Hu and Annie Qiao | May 29, 2020
Education specialist Desiree Shaffer waves a “Go Bulldogs” sign to incoming cars of students and family members, who show their appreciation even behind windows and masks. From a safe distance, Shaffer stops to check in and chat with the families before sending them down the line of other cheerful staff members.

Caravan for Special Education Creates Smiles From 6 Feet Away

Ava Caleca and Kelthie Truong | May 28, 2020
With the help of semi-permanent dyes, junior Kailyn Pham is among the many students experimenting with different hair colors since the start of quarantine. Dark silver locks are only the most recent of Pham’s several hair transformations in the past few months.

Students Become their Own Quarantine Hairstylists

Kelthie Truong, Back Page Editor | May 26, 2020
From Shopping at Whole Foods to Stuck-at-Home Foods: Best Grocery Delivery Services

From Shopping at Whole Foods to Stuck-at-Home Foods: Best Grocery Delivery Services

Kelthie Truong, Back Page Editor | May 8, 2020
U.S. leadership’s irresponsible depiction of the Coronavirus has divided the nation, putting a target on the backs of Asian Americans.

Much More Than Sticks and Stones: The Trump Administration Contributes to Xenophobia

Kelthie Truong, Back Page Editor | April 29, 2020
How do Portola Students Spend Their Salaries?

How do Portola Students Spend Their Salaries?

Kelthie Truong and Ariana Wu | April 8, 2020
The force of senior and pitcher Jamison King’s fastball launches his upper body forwards. King’s standout grit and performance has been consistent since freshman year, according to coach Kevin Conlin.

Baseball Loses Against Defending PCL Champions the Patriots

Priscilla Baek and Kelthie Truong | March 25, 2020
Senior Julia Lee says she enjoys computer graphics more than fine arts due to how digital platforms are easier to edit errors compared to other mediums. Although Lee was first concerned that she was not familiar with digital platforms, she was able to catch on quickly through many hours of additional practice at home.

[Photo] Senior Artist Designs Artwork for Album Cover

Bia Shok, Staff Writer | February 14, 2020
Senior Saif Habibeh steals the ball back from University High, searching to make a pass to an open teammate. Saif Habibeh scored a total of four points for the Bulldogs.

Boys’ Basketball Emerges as Pacific Coast League Champions with 9-1 Record

Ava Caleca and Kelthie Truong | February 6, 2020

Summing up 2019 in a Hundred Words

Jenny Won and Kelthie Truong | January 13, 2020
As “King of New York” from popular musical “Newsies” drew to a close, freshman Sophia Albornoz, sophomore Esha Ananth, junior Vina Dinh, sophomore Amanda Zhu, junior Saba Firouzabadi, junior Sonia Goyle, junior Chloe Le, junior Shideh Moayed and sophomore Megan Suhr pose for the crowd. The song choice influenced the costuming and prop choices.

Dance Goes ‘Under the Stars’ and on to New Risks

Nate Taylor and Kelthie Truong | December 16, 2019
Eco-Friend or Eco-Foe? The Fallacies of Fast-Fashion

Eco-Friend or Eco-Foe? The Fallacies of Fast-Fashion

Kelthie Truong, Backpage Editor | December 2, 2019
Junior Faith DeNeve prepares lumpia, a type of Filipino spring roll, from memory and shares her appreciation of the intimacy in home cooking as opposed to catering for large gatherings. The scratch-made variety yields a crisper exterior and the brightness of fresher ingredients.

Serving Recipes from the Melting Pot

Kelthie Truong, Back Page Editor | November 19, 2019
‘For the Children’ Earns Standing Ovation

‘For the Children’ Earns Standing Ovation

Lauren Hsu and Kelthie Truong | November 4, 2019
Junior Bailey Cooper and senior Isabella Green base their businesses in makeshift-workshops at their own homes. Self-management requires them to organize, photograph, package and handle pickups and deliveries themselves.

Students Become Entrepreneurs with Instagram Businesses

Kelthie Truong, Back Page Editor | October 25, 2019
Senior Gordon Zhou prepares to deliver mail to math teacher Sarah Alewine classroom with the assistance of special education department chair Melody Resendez. Mail delivery is a routine aspect of Zhou and many other special education students' routines and helps them establish a pattern of interaction with students and staff members.

Clean-Up Crew Expands

Ajinkya Rane and Kelthie Truong | October 18, 2019
Xiao long bao at Din Tai Fung in Costa Mesa, CA.

Overrated and Overpriced: OC Asian Foods Not Worth the Hype

Jaein Kim and Kelthie Truong | September 27, 2019
The bulk bins found at Whole Foods Market are frequented by chemistry teacher Brittney Kang and many other zero-wasters for enabling the option of reusable containers over plastic packaging.

How “Zero-Waste” is Doing More with Less

Kelthie Truong, Contributing Writer | February 19, 2019
Oliboli offers a range of flavors atypical of most doughnut stores, such as (going clockwise) Bumbleberry, Burnt Butter Bourbon Bacon, Fry Bread with Meyer Lemon and Guava Jam and Lavender Sugar.

Oliboli Doughnuts are a Delightful Mouthful

Kelthie Truong, Contributing Writer | February 14, 2019
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Kelthie Truong