inventory_2 Archive: Fall 2010 - Spring 2014
Admin advocate to offer AP European History
Next year, Samo administrators hope to offer Advanced Placement European History (AP Euro) to incoming sophomores. The course, which has not been offered at Samo before, will become an alternative to World History.
Concert scheduled by Associated Student Body for Feb. 24th cancelled by administration
The concert planned by the Associated Student Body (ASB) for Feb. 24th was postponed, effectively cancelling it.
Drama club spreads the love with sonnet grams
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.
Illuminate errors delay seniors’ midyear grade reports to colleges
Due to incorrect grade calculations, Samo had to postpone sending out senior midyear transcripts to colleges. However, the transcripts were sent out on the Feb. 15 due date, along with a letter explaining the situation.
Teams unexpectedly charged for baseball field renovations
Samo’s marching band and soccer, baseball and football teams were asked unexpectedly to contribute $2,000 each towards the cost of re-sodding the baseball field.
Seventh annual "State of Our Schools" focuses on district math programs
The seventh annual “State of Our Schools” presentation was held in the Thelma Terry building in Virginia Park on Tuesday, Jan. 31.
Lincoln Middle School hosts John Green's book tour
John Green's The Fault In Our Stars book signing tour arrived at Lincoln Middle School on Thursday, Jan. 26.
Santa Monica creates program to encourage healthier lifestyle
The city of Santa Monica recently created a program called Active Santa Monica to encourage residents to engage in a healthier lifestyle. The program focuses on different types of exercise each month.
A new take on Valentine's Day: be your own secret admirer
Spend Valentine's Day celebrating how powerful love is, even if you're not in a relationship.
Athlete of the issue: Aniese Palmore
Senior Aniese Palmore is a key contributor to the varsity girls' basketball team.
Athlete of the issue: Jordan Mathews
Varsity basketball player, junior Jordan Mathews possesses a passion for dribbling and a natural talent and intensity for the game.
Unconventional sports: Samo athletes defy the norm
Samo students defy the norm by participating in sports off-campus.
Seven wrestlers place at League Finals, all to compete at CIF
After League Finals this past weekend, Samo’s wrestling team has seven wrestlers going to California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) this year.
Special Report: Genius Deconstructed
There’s always that one annoying kid in that one class that just always seems to ask one too many questions.
Three cheers for victory
Amidst weekly basketball games, pep rallies, and other school events, most students fail to realize that Samo’s cheerleading teams not only perform at various school functions, but also practice rigorously to participate in CIF and nationwide cheerleading championships.
Author Lisa See visits California Literature 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.
The Scorekeeper: Trent Nelson '12
For most students, a perfect 36 on the ACT is an unattainable goal, even with countless hours of studying. Trent Nelson, currently a senior at Samo, achieved this perfect score with no tutor and only three practice tests in total.
High School Sweethearts: Samo's Teacher Couples
As Valentine’s Day approaches, students will not be the only ones exchanging heart shaped boxes of chocolates and bouquets of flowers.
Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk - Café Samo strikes a chord
Café Samo singers bear their souls with the latest contemporary classics.
Samo students advance to state level in annual ‘Reflections’ competition
Four Samo students were selected as school level winners for the PTSA 2011/2012 Reflections Arts competition.
Student organizations attempt to strengthen community after campus violence
Student organizations the African American Mentor Society and La Sociedad have begun community building activities in the wake of recent race-related violence on campus.
The Artist: Molly Conn '12
It takes creativity and imagination to turn an object into art. Molly Conn has this talent, and has a unique ability to see objects in a lighting that most people normally wouldn’t.
Santa Monica Fire Department quarantines South Gym after suspected arson
A fire at Samo, suspected by police and fire officials to be arson has left the South Gym and the South Gym’s boys’ locker room quarantined and many students without cell phones, house keys and text books since last Tuesday.
Winter concert — Play it again, Samo jazz band
Professional trombonist Andy Martin performs with the Samo's Jazz Band for their Winter concert.
Samo updates to Illuminate 2.0 after first semester issues
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.
SMMUSD Board of Education amends Controlled Substance Policy
SMMUSD Board of Education has made changes to the Controlled Substance Policy, according to admin, it is now a more lenient policy.
Boys' basketball beats Culver City 69-62
Boys’ basketball was engaged in an exciting game against Culver City High School on Wednesday, Feb. 1, and won 69-62.
Girls' basketball loses to Culver City
Girls' basketball lost its game against Culver City High School 46-40 on Wednesday, Feb. 1.
Students evacuate after fire in South Gym boys' locker room
The initial investigation into the fire that started in the South Gym boys' locker room during fifth period on Tuesday, Jan. 31 suggests that the cause of the fire may have been arson, Samo Principal Laurel Fretz said in an email to Samo parents.
Boys' wrestling redeems itself at West Covina High School
Boys' wrestling battled against 30 schools on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 20 and 21 in a tournament at West Covina High School.
Boys' soccer ties Hawthorne 0-0
After an overtime, boys' soccer tied Hawthorne High School 0-0 at a home game on Wed., Jan. 25.
Girls' water polo vs. Mira Costa
Girls’ water polo lost to the Mira Costa Mustangs 9-4 on Fri., Jan. 27.
Girls' soccer beats Inglewood 6-0
Girls’ soccer’s game against Inglewood High School on Friday, Jan. 27 ended with a score of 6-0.
Boys' basketball undefeated for first half of season
Boys’ basketball finished their first half of the season against Hawthorne High School on Jan. 25, winning 49-39.
Samo beats Morningside 3-1
Boys' soccer won 3-1 against Morningside High School at a home game on Friday, Jan. 20.
Combined Science and Technology Building construction begins at Samo
Construction called for by Measure BB has started at Samo.
Students and teachers regain complete access to ceramics and photo classrooms after toxic mold caused partial closure
Sections of the ceramics and photo rooms were closed off due to toxic mold growing in the classrooms, however, they have now been reopened.
Girls' water polo loses to El Segundo 5-4
Girls’ water polo lost to El Segundo High School 5-4 on Tuesday, Jan. 17.
Girls' soccer defeated by rival Beverly Hills
After a long game on Jan. 18, girls’ soccer was bested by rival Beverly Hills High School, and lost 2-1.
Girls' soccer beats Culver City 4-2
Girls’ soccer defeated Culver City High School on Jan. 13, ending with a victory of 4-2.
Gate at 6th Street and Pico Boulevard closed due to construction
Due to construction and security officers' posts being moved around, the 6th Street and Pico Boulevard gate has been closed for the remainder of the 2011-2012 school year. The gate at 7th Street and Michigan Avenue is now the main gate.
Seventeen Samo students make All-State Band
Seventeen Samo students were accepted into the all-state band for the third consecutive year.
Boys' soccer starts their league season
Boys' soccer gains confidence after winning the season opener against Inglewood 3-0.
Boys' basketball triumphs over long-time rival Inglewood
Boys' basketball beats Inglewood 76-68 on Jan. 11.
Boys' soccer finishes its pre-season with two wins
Boys' soccer rolls into its first league game after winning the last two pre-season games.
Boys’ wrestling team is defeated by Torrance on home turf
Wrestling loses to Torrance High School 50-26 on Jan. 5.
Girls’ water polo defeats Torrance High School 12-4
Girls' water polo beats Torrance High School 12-4 in its first league game on Jan. 10.
Vikings beat Redondo Union Sea Hawks by a slim margin
Boys' basketball reigned over the Redondo Union Sea Hawks on Jan. 4, winning 42-41.
Girls' soccer beats Torrance in first game after Winter break
Girls' soccer returns from winter break strong, winning 1-0 against Torrance High School.
A day to day battle: Johanna Turner
Senior Johanna Turner stays positivite while struggling against a potentially fatal peanut allergy.
Maddie Lomonaco: riding the wave
Freshman Maddie Lomanaco has been surfing for eleven years and placed fourth in the state at the Scholastic Surf Series State Championship.
Studying slang: The history and meanings behind the popular slang of present and past
Staff writer Alison Guh researches the history of slang and how it has changed throughout different time periods.
Exploring Samo’s unique slang
Staff Writer Gregory Boehm discusses the many different slang words used at Samo.
Slang and schools: the relationships between teachers, students and slang
Staff Writer Mia Lopez-Zubiri examines the different relationships students and teachers have with slang.
You should probably enjoy academics if you're planning on attending an Ivy League school.
A&E Editor Joe Colajezzi questions the real motives of AP students.
The ups and downs of affirmative action
Staff Writer Lillian Kalish examines the pros and cons of affirmative action.
Band marches home with the bronze
Marching Band placed third at the SCSBOA championship at Marrieta High School on Dec. 3.
The road less traveled
As many seniors are in the midst of their application process, prospective college students rarely consider an alternative — taking a gap year.
Samo struggles with state's requirement to waive all fees
In response to programs on campus requiring fees for participation, Samo Principal Laurel Fretz sent a memo to sports coaches at the beginning of the month, asking them to to be in compliance with the law from now on.
Petition created by students in an effort to make Samo a peanut free school
Students on campus have created a petition to try to ban peanuts at Samo to make the school a safe place for all students.
Salumbides’ classes prevail in Samo’s annual Canned Food Drive
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.
Board of Education centralizes fundraising for all SMMUSD schools
The SMMUSD Board of Education has changed the district fundraising policy to centralized fundraising meaning all the money that is donated is pooled and redistributed to schools.
Occupied: Samo students join in on the Occupy Movement in Los Angeles
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.
Boys' soccer has unstable pre-season but hopes to improve
Boys' soccer hopes to improve by their first league game.
Schools across the state face furlough week, but SMMUSD is prepared
California has made budget cuts to education and this may cause schools in California to have a furlough week. However, SMMUSD has enough money to avoid this furlough week.
Baseball team forced to travel during renovation
On a daily basis, the Samo boys’ baseball field is bustling with workers, trucks and fresh grass. Since Nov. 14, the field has been in the process of renovation. According to Dean of Students Catherine Baxter, the project is ideally going to be finished by Jan. 23.
Malibu schools attempt to secede from Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District
Malibu is attempting to leave the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District due most likely to the newly passed centralized fundraising policy and their lack of representation on the SMMUSD Board of Education.
Boys' soccer dominates in their first pre-season games
Boys' soccer foresees a strong season after winning 3-1 against the Mira Costa Mustangs.
SMPD will increase presence around Samo after shooting
The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) will have an increased presence in the area surrounding Samo tomorrow after a student was shot in the 600 block of Pacific Street, according to a recorded phone call Principal Laurel Fretz sent to Samo teachers and parents at around 6 pm.
Activist discusses domestic violence with Samo teachers
Anti-sexism activist Dr. Jackson Katz attends a teacher meeting and shows Samo staff the meaning of domestic violence and provides tools to help avoid it.
La Sociedad and BSU begin work on the toy drive
La Sociedad and the BSU team up to work on the annual toy drive that provides holiday gifts and toys for underprivileged elementary school students in the the district.
Tardies now distributed from house offices
New tardy policy will diminish the time students take to get tardies.
Logan Henderson: Samo's newest lobbyist
Read about junior Logan Henderson's amazing feats in Sacramento this past summer, passing laws to make California schools more LGBTQ-friendly.
Samo strides into the CIF semifinals
Samo football defeated the Ventura Cougars and will go on to compete in the CIF semifinals on Dec. 2.
Boys' soccer shines amid the dark clouds
Samo boys' soccer started off the season with a scrimmage against the Australian Club Team.
Teachers plan meeting for freshmen about Samo clubs
Freshman Seminar teachers are planning The Freshman Club panel to get students more involved in the community.
Students participate in SBR Workshop
Samohi Solar Alliance is creating a Sustainability Bill of Rights, which will formally outline nature's right to clean air and water.
Boys' basketball scrimmages Loyola to begin its season
Boys' basketball starts its season with a scrimmage against Loyola High School.
Girls' water polo shows potential after first scrimmage
Girls' water polo wins its first scrimmage of the season.
Girls' tennis loses in CIF quarterfinals
Girls' tennis feels pleased with their overall season despite losing in the CIF quarterfinals.
After victory against Channel Islands, Samo remains in playoffs
Samo football wins first round of CIF and will advance to the second round Friday, Nov. 25.
Girls' volleyball loses in semi-finals after a strong season
Girls' volleyball loses to Pasadena Polytechnic High School in the CIF semi-finals.
Girls' volleyball overcomes tough opponents, continues to semi-finals
Girls' volleyball advances to the semi-finals after wins against Victor Valley and Santa Ynez.
Water polo plans to splash back in CIF
Boys' water polo places second in league and prepares to play their first game in CIF against La Canada.
A Night of Madness: An incredibly normal look at how we treat the psychologically 'touched.'
Samo theater takes a profound look at the human condition in this fall's "A Night of Madness."
Looney Thun: An AP Psychology Q & A
"The Samohi sits down with AP Psych teacher Charles Thun to discuss the who, what, why and how of AP Psychology.
It's a Small World After All
"The Samohi" explores the lives of international students on campus.
Veteran’s and Memorial Day: An excuse for store sales and beach days
Opinion editor Nadine Melamed talks about the lack of respect for Veteran's Day and Memorial Day among Samo students.
Teacher's Thoughts: remakes stifle student creativity
Samo teacher Megan Walker discusses the need for more student creativity.
A new year, a new teacher, a new technique
Copy editor Henry Boyd steps back and reflects on the different techniques of the theater teachers that, in recent years, have graced Samo's Humanities Center stage.
Santa Monica Immersion celebrates 25 years
The Santa Monica Immersion program is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year....
LA Philharmonic assists Samo Symphony
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...
Team Marine hopes to be the ‘Biggest Loser’
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.
Community Dialogue on Race held at Samo
In response to an alleged hate crime at Samo last year, the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District decided to start holding community dialogues on race, the first of which was on Oct. 29.
Choir director Jeffe Huls nominated to win Bravo Award
Samo choir director Jeffe Huls is one of 85 finalists in the Bravo Awards competition which honors “creativeness and brilliance” in teachers.
Yearbook now accepting photos from Samo students
In an effort to increase student participation in the creation of the yearbook, the Samohi Nautilus has created a new section in which they will include pictures submitted from students, primarily via Facebook.
Board of Education explores possible changes to district donations policy
The Santa Monica-Malibu Board of Education met Thursday in Malibu to discuss a potential change from the current district fundraising policy to a new system that would make it so all donations go through the Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation (SMMEF) and are later redistributed as needed.
After an upsetting loss, cross country looks to CIF
After an unfortunate loss to Beverly Hills, cross country still qualifies for CIF.
Shrines and skeletons: Samo alum paints the way
Samo alum Daniel Alonzo returns to his hometown for an artistic homage to the living dead.
Vikings win league championship
Samo dominates at Homecoming and goes on to win the league championship.