VAPA – Portola Pilot

October 5First COVID-19 Case Confirmed at Portola High

Producer and junior Skye Lee positions the clapperboard in front of the camera to designate the scene on the set of the short film, “Hello My Name Is.” “Hello My Name Is” is one of many entries from students being submitted to Orange County Film Festival this year.

Lights, Camera, Action! Portola Gets Ready to Take Part in Its 4th Year of Orange County Film Festival

December 18, 2019

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

December 16, 2019

Dance 3 students crouch down during the solo section of the piece, “Crybaby,” choreographed by sophomore Mia Zappala. Choreographers were also responsible for costume design and stage lighting, fine-tuning these elements to enhance their overall performance.

Student Choreographers Steal the Show at Annual Winter Dance Concert

December 11, 2019

Juniors Sohrob Shahmirzadi and Aiden Stringer celebrate the groups successful performance within the 99 minute time constraint. Each night, a digital clock ticked down as performers sped through the entirety of Greek mythology, often leaving only seconds to spare.

Fall Play Promises Performances of Mythical Proportions

November 18, 2019

Junior Trevor Howden plays “Come As You Are” by the rock band Nirvana and “Enter Sandman” by the heavy metal band Metallica during office hours. Howden says that he likes to play that song because the iconic bands have been an inspiration for him.

Campus Performers Embrace Their Passion by Playing Out Their Hearts

November 14, 2019

Choir director Adrian Rangel-Sanchez said he expects the difficulty level of the ‘Cinderella’ musical to challenge participants in similar ways as ‘The Addams Family’ with big numbers, extensive choreography and strong ensemble involvement.

‘Cinderella’ is the Perfect Fit for the Spring Musical

November 8, 2019

‘For the Children’ Earns Standing Ovation

‘For the Children’ Earns Standing Ovation

November 4, 2019

Sophomore and mentor Garrett Lee shows junior and mentee Justin Silva where to place his fingers on the saxophone. For beginner students like Silva, memorizing the location and placement of the many fingerings for the instrument can be difficult, which is why Lee must undergo training in the form of videos and books in order to be able to effectively teach his peers how to play.

Food for the Soul: Special Education and United Sound Bring Music to Campus

October 23, 2019

Senior Paris Zhuang designs five vivid and intricate designs that all couple together as one collection, which exemplify the types of designs she would implement for people as she tries to bridge the gender gap.

Student Artists Prepare for College in the Art World

October 21, 2019

Guitarists sophomore Joaquin Goana and junior Jeffrey Mejia have practiced their instruments for many years, but bassist and junior Cinta Adhiningrat is a self-taught rising musician.

Rock Band Chemistry Brings the Pride of Portola ‘Closer to the Heart’

October 10, 2019

Digital drawing enables Hung to continue her pieces anywhere on the go, whether in the Learning Commons during lunch or after school at the local Panera Bread in Woodbury Town Center.

Katherine Hung’s Characters Shine at the Pageant of the Masters Arts Festival

September 27, 2019

Portola Singers and Canta Bella perform “The Prayer of the Children” by Kurt Bestor. This coming April, all choir groups are invited to attend the spring break tour in Chicago, Illinois, where they will receive specialized coaching from expert conductors.

Music Department Kicks Off the School Year with Annual Informance

September 25, 2019

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