Portola Pioneer

In honor of International Day of Women and Girls in Science, co-hosts Kayleen Kim and Aditi Salunkhe delve into the theme of empowering women in STEM during this episode of the Portola Pioneer. Join Kim and Salunkhe as they highlight the achievements of women, students and teachers, at Portola High who are making significant contributions in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Music credits:

Lofi Hip-Hop by Yrii Semchyshyn from Pixabay

This Science Abstract by Yrii Semchyshyn from Pixabay

Atmospheric Ambient by Playsound from Pixabay

Abstract Timelapse Electronica by ComaStudio from Pixabay

Many students find themselves confused as they begin to navigate the letter of recommendation process. In this episode, our hosts Elise Ngo and Stephanie Hsu discuss this process with social studies teachers Kathryn Beechinor and Wind Ralston to help future students with any questions they may have.

Music Credits:

polar lights / chill vibes beat by SoulProdMusic

rhythmic rainfall by MYAUDIOVISION

dreamy meadow by LofCosmos

lofi lullabies by MYAUDIOVISION

Serenity in Subtle Beats by MYAUDIOVISION

In this episode of the Portola Pioneer, co-hosts and sophomores photo editor Marianne Chan and staff writer Claire Liu explore diverse music tastes of students across campus.

Music Credits:

"Words don't come easy" by Mamamoo

"21" by Dean

"Show yourself" by mastodon

"Square hammer" by ghost

"Geeked" by Lucki

"Enchanted" by Taylor Swift

"7 summers" by Morgan Wallen

"Revive" by Zack Bryan

"Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1, Mov. 1" by Khatia Buniatishvili, Christoph Koncz and Orchestre De La Suisse Romande

In this episode of the Portola Pioneer, host, co-editor-in-chief and senior Celine Lee explains how a 97-cent investment in a notebook can lead to an endless journey of self-growth, self-exploration and self-therapy.

Music Credits:

“Jazzy Hip Hop Boom Bap” by Music Unlimited

“Elevator Music Lofi (Version 30s)” by Lesfm

“Remember Lofi Sad” by AudiolistProduction

“Like Genshin Impact Lofi (IG Version 60s)” by Lesfm

“LoFi Acoustic Guitar with HopHop Beat 0133” by TuesdayNight

“Falling- Isaiah Mathew” by Isaiah Mathew

“Into the Night- 80s Retro Synthwave” by Dream-Protocol

Tune in with host Elise Ngo, teachers Anthony Pham and Shameemah Motala and students Namrata Motwani and Ian Yoon to discuss what teachers and students wish they knew each other.

The Portola Pioneer is the official news and culture podcast of the Portola Pilot, aiming to foster a sense of community and provide a unique storytelling medium to its listeners.

With the transition to colder weather and shorter days, hosts co-editor-in-chief Celine Lee and news editor Tyler Kim share their stories with seasonal depression and how they cope with it.

Music Credits:

“Empty Mind” by Lofi Hour

“Untitled” by Lofi Hour

“Close/ Study Relax ChillHop” by SoulProdMusic

“Soft LoFi Beat” by ComaStudio

“Chill Hip-Hop Vlog” by Magiksolo

“Lofi Stars” by DayFox

With Halloween quickly approaching, host Arshia Sista and speakers Dheeksha Bhima Reddy, Arnav Chandan, Aditi Salunkhe and Parmin Zamani discuss the appeal of the horror genre and their personal experiences with it.

Music Credits:

"Castle on the Dead Hill" - Vladimir Takinov

"Dark Walk" - Kevin MacLeod

"The Path of the Goblin King v2" - Kevin MacLeod

"Steps of an Invisible Man" - Vladimir Takinov

"Waltz Under the Moon" - Vladimir Takinov

"Mystery of a Haunted Memory" - Jon Presstone

"Darkest Child" - Kevin MacLeod

For the Portola Pioneer’s second-to-last podcast of the year, we decided to please your ears. Listen in as Ryne Dunman, Emma Haag and Kayla Moshayedi delve into three diverse realms of ASMR — from burrito-eating to slime to hairbrush stroking.

To celebrate Women’s History Month, host Ryan Jung joins speakers Dheeksha Bhima Reddy, Claudia Lin, Shaina Taebi and Tara Vatandoust to discuss modern feminism, intersectionality, toxic feminism and how men can be feminists too.

Feeling pressure from schoolwork? Taking naps every afternoon after school? Co-managing editor and senior Ryan Jung and staff writer and junior Sidra Asif dive into senioritis, how it’s different from burnout and how to make the most out of the final months of the school year.

In honor of Thanksgiving, host Ryan Jung along with speakers Dheeksha Bhima Reddy, Cara Chan and Tara Vatandoust talk about the different ways to define gratitude and how they expressed their thankfulness in the midst of a pandemic.

The Portola Pioneer is the official news and culture podcast of the Portola Pilot, aiming to foster a sense of community and provide a unique storytelling medium to its listeners.

In the episode, "Musical Milestones: What Does Music Mean to You?" co-hosts Ryne Dunman and Ryan Jung explore the inner workings of musical performance and original composition at Portola High. Featuring senior and singer-songwriter Kailyn Pham and senior and classical violinist Wesley Tjangnaka.

Music Credit: 

"Perfect" - Kailyn Pham

"Again" - Kailyn Pham

"Brahms Piano Quartet No.1 in G Minor" - Courtesy of Wesley Tjangnaka.

The Portola Pioneer is the official news and culture podcast of the Portola Pilot, aiming to foster a sense of community and provide a unique storytelling medium to its listeners.

In this episode, “Turning to a New Page: What will 2021 Bring?” co-hosts Jaein Kim and Bia Shok discuss events from 2020 in addition to new aspirations for 2021. Social studies department chair Jon Resendez and senior Allyson Tabayoyong elaborate on their personal memories of the past year and share outlooks for the new year.

Music Credit:

“Grey Grey Joe” - Anchor

“Morning Colorwheel” - Anchor

The Portola Pioneer, the official news and culture podcast of the Portola Pilot works to highlight the PHS community in a unique audio medium. 

In the October episode, “Art, how students express: What Inspires You?” co-hosts Sidra Asia and Nate Taylor explore how unique forms of art like music and fashion bring students comfort. This episode dives into the musical journey of senior Trevor Howden and his love for the rock genre along with junior Christopher Stocks’ evolution of clothing style.

Music Credit:

“Bilk” by Deeb
“Return to Zero” and  “Highway 17” by Phil Reavis
“Coffee and trees”, “Eleven11” and  “Daydream” by Deeb

The Portola Pioneer is the official news and culture podcast of the Portola Pilot, aiming to foster a sense of community and provide a unique storytelling medium to its listeners.

In the September episode, “Mental Health, an Underlying Epidemic: What Brings You Hope?” co-hosts Jaein Kim and Ryne Dunman discuss mental health, suicide prevention and the implications of social isolation on community wellness. Featuring Portola alumni Aliyah Davis about her journey with depression and anxiety, senior Stella park about Hope Squad and wellness coordinator Maureen Muir about the importance of reaching out and finding hope during these times.

Disclaimer: This episode of the Pioneer contains information regarding depression, anxiety and suicide. We advise listeners who may be triggered by these topics to refrain from listening and to join us again for the October episode instead.

Music Credit

“Fight Song” Rachel Platten (instrumental)

“The Wisp Sings” Winter Aid (instrumental)

“To Build A Home” Cinematic Orchestra (instrumental; slowed down)

“Beautiful Relaxing Piano Music - Still” Ross Bugden