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
Manan Mendiratta

Manan Mendiratta, Sports Editor

Manan Mendiratta is the Sports Editor for the 2019-2020 school year. This is Manan’s first time in the Portola Pilot, so he is extremely excited to contribute to the production. Other than journalism, Manan loves ice hockey and is playing for the Anaheim Jr. Ducks for the upcoming season. He also enjoys spending time with his family, friends, and teammates, watching youtube and listening to music.

All content by Manan Mendiratta
Nine students were inducted into the International Thespian Society on May 20 for their commitment to performing arts. Despite the event being held on Zoom, the traditional ceremony of lighting a candle for inducted members when their name is called was preserved.

International Thespian Society Recognizes Performers Online

Manan Mendiratta and Akshay Raj | May 22, 2020
At schools like University High, students are allowed to take AP classes a year earlier than at Portola or Northwood high schools, giving them a figurative head start in following their passions at a collegiate level.

District Unity for Course Progression is Key to Equity

Akshay Raj and Manan Mendiratta | May 15, 2020
The United States is failing to directly address COVID-19, which has only resulted in the drastic spread of the virus. On the other hand, South Korea and Taiwan’s immediate action has led to a sharp decline in new cases.

Countries That Took Immediate Action Have an Edge Fighting COVID-19

Manan Mendiratta, Co-Sports Editor | April 24, 2020
Second Harvest Food Bank delivers food to local pantries, where anyone in need of food can receive assistance. A map of all avaialable pantries in Orange County can be found at ocfoodhelp.org/orange-county-free-food-map/food-pantries/.

Second Harvest Continues to Serve During Uncertain Times

Manan Mendiratta, Co-Sports Editor | April 21, 2020
Jealous step-sister Charlotte (sophomore Paris Suttle) began act two with “Stepsister’s Lament” accompanied by the ladies of the court. Together they questioned, “Why would a fellow want a girl like her?” after seeing Prince Topher dance with and show interest in a disguised Cinderella at the ball.

Review: ‘Cinderella’ Sends the Message of Kindness Through Magic

Manan Mendiratta and Shawyan Rooein | March 11, 2020
Members of CHOC Club gather a few times each semester at the Ronald McDonald House to host activities such as making dinner for families in the house, as well as bonding with the children there. Aside from these events, the club also organizes fundraisers to provide direct relief to affected children and families through making blankets, kits and more meals.

CHOC Club Promotes Community-Driven Caring for Children

Akshay Raj and Manan Mendiratta | February 25, 2020
With the current music rating system, songs like Foster the People’s “Pumped Up Kicks,” which express the ambition to start a school shooting, are in the same category as childrens’ songs like “Baby Shark.” As a result of this lyrical neglect, thousands of songs with vastly different messages and levels of intensity are grouped together under the blanket terms of either “explicit” or “non-explicit.”

Music Should be Rated by Lyrics, not Language

Akshay Raj and Manan Mendiratta | February 13, 2020
The soulful tones of senior Yash Menon’s guitar and lyrical style of senior Shivank Gupta’s saxophone fill the air as their unique sounds come together in their rendition of Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep.” The exciting combination of smooth jazz and striking rock forms melodious versatility that could not be accomplished with just one instrument.

Musical Duo Creates Harmony Through Contrast

Manan Mendiratta and Akshay Raj | January 30, 2020
Writing down and creating a plan for your resolutions makes it 42% more likely that you will accomplish them, according to Forbes Coaches Council.

A New Year Needs New Resolutions, Not Recycled Ones

Manan Mendiratta, Sports Editor | January 8, 2020
While other individual teachers may be blocking access to students’ grades over the break, this is the first time the entire social studies department will be testing this new procedure.

Social Studies Department Blocks Out Grades Over Winter Break

Manan Mendiratta and Annie Qiao | December 20, 2019
Campus Control Assistants Kathy Elgohary and George Mares supervise the drop-off line to keep a constant flow of traffic. This year, there are more student drivers at Portola High than ever, causing more traffic to build up around campus and on Irvine Blvd. in the morning.

Road Safety Concerns on Campus Pile Up

Akshay Raj and Manan Mendiratta | December 5, 2019
Cleaning Up and Becoming Aware Will Lead to Student Safety from Bees

Cleaning Up and Becoming Aware Will Lead to Student Safety from Bees

Manan Mendiratta, Sports Editor | November 25, 2019
With California SB-328 coming close to pushing back the school start time 30 minutes, students and staff alike should carefully consider the implications that come with the push, such as the possibility of later end times and shortened breaks.

Portola Cannot Sleep on Pushing Back School Start Time

Manan Mendiratta and Akshay Raj | November 8, 2019
Everyone, young and old, should be able to trick-or-treat and have a night filled with fun and candy, but have the responsibility to maintain the safety of all by acting appropriately.

Trick-or-Treating Should be Associated with Fun, Not Age

Manan Mendiratta, Assistant Sports Editor | October 29, 2019
Bringing Down the Heat Index to Bring Up Our Athletes

Bringing Down the Heat Index to Bring Up Our Athletes

Manan Mendiratta, Assistant Sports Editor | October 2, 2019
Burger King’s Impossible Whopper is a vegetarian spin on the regular Whopper, retaining the same familiar tomatoes, onions, pickles and lettuce while substituting the beef patty with an Impossible Meat vegan one.

Impossible Vegan Meat Goes Beyond Typical Fast-Food

Manan Mendiratta and Akshay Raj | September 25, 2019
Four out of eight teams remaining in the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs have the opportunity to win the team’s first-ever Stanley Cup.

From Going Down in History to Lost in History: 2019 Stanley Cup Playoff Upsets

Manan Mendiratta, Contributing Writer | May 3, 2019
Naan & Kabob offers a variety of Persian cuisine and is located in Tustin.

Naan & Kabob: From Unbeatable to Uneatable

Manan Mendiratta, Contributing Writer | April 29, 2019
William Hsieh, Sai Kuppili, Shishir Ravipati, Elena Kim, and Joanna Fan participated in the National Science Bowl at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in La Cañada Flintridge, California. The team placed 13 out of 24 teams and had the opportunity to meet people working at JPL.

The Science Bowl: Cooperate to Compete

Manan Mendiratta, Contributing Writer | February 15, 2019
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Manan Mendiratta