For many high school students, history may seem like nothing but facts from a book that have no connection to their lives. But for Carl Hobkirk’s students, on March 20 and 22, history took on a new dimension when five World War II veterans addressed his classes in the library.

Samo seniors Mayu Isom and Luke Bencivengo, juniors Jonathan Forsander and Yekun Ding and sophomore Justin Sardo flew to Atlanta, GA the weekend of March 24 to participate in the 2012 National High School Honor Orchestra (NHSHO), joining the top high school musicians in the country.

After months of preparing, Samo’s College Center moved to its new home in B115 and awaits updated technology to help students with their college application process.

Samo Ambassadors hosted their annual Career Day and Job Fair in partnership with the City of Santa Monica on March 12.

Starting this year, Samo English teachers will implement in-class, year-end essays to evaluate the progress of all students from their first in-class baseline essay.

This Valentine’s Day, the Drama Club offered a unique way to tell your special someone that you love them. In the spirit of 16th century romance, members of Drama Club recited sonnets in third and fourth period classes.

One hundred sixty California Literature students sat eagerly in the Humanities Center awaiting the introduction of the esteemed Chinese-American author of “Shanghai Girls,” Lisa See. Each student’s expression quickly shifted to one of confusion as a petite, redheaded woman stepped on the stage and began to speak.

Four Samo students were selected as school level winners for the PTSA 2011/2012 Reflections Arts competition.

Though the first semester trial of Illuminate 1.0 was plagued with problems, administration hopes that the newly implemented Illuminate 2.0 will rectify these issues.

The Samo Holiday Canned Food Drive ended on Nov. 23 with one clear victor: Rose Ann Salumbides, whose combined total made up 585 of the over 600 cans brought in. The food drive was run by the Associated Student Body (ASB), which delivered the cans to the West Side Food Bank.

Samo senior Gus Graef and juniors Ivan Rios-Fetchko and Leo Erickson stepped into the fray to voice their opinions and bring ideas back to the student body from the streets.

Freshman Seminar teachers are planning The Freshman Club panel to get students more involved in the community.

Samohi Solar Alliance is creating a Sustainability Bill of Rights, which will formally outline nature's right to clean air and water.

The Santa Monica Immersion program is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year....

Twice a month, mentors from the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra (LA Phil) file into classroom M101, prepared to instruct the members of our Symphony Orchestra in the art of creating music...

In the upcoming months, Team Marine will be encouraging Samo classes to participate in the Biggest Loser competition—a nationwide in-school challenge sponsored by the Alliance for Climate Education (ACE)—to see which school can reduce the most energy in classrooms.

Samo administration takes extra precautions to ensure this year's pep rally will be friendly and safe.

Administration re-opens the north lot for senior parking.

Samo students are taking a new approach to the club requirements in the form of "casual clubs."