What's going on around Samo?
The California Science Center interships; Project Lead The Way: Animal Shelter;National Holocaust Survivor Day Celebration; New Alcohol Policy.
The Truth About College Essays
The college application process isn’t as stressful as most high school students think.
Lack of fundraising could mean the end of samo programs
SMMUSD schools are witnessing a sharp decline in fundraising from the Ed Foundation, which could mean the end of various programs in the 2024-2025 school year.
California Increases minimum wage for fast food workers
On Apr. 1, the minimum wage for fast food workers was increased from $16 an hour to $20 an hour as an attempt to provide aid to the low-paid workers, some of whom are homeless or supporting more than one person on their wage.
The dangers of Doctor Goodle: stop self diagnosing
In recent years, it has become far more common to find teens and young adults self diagnosing- as the stigma around mental health has begun to melt away… but this can be far more harmful than one may believe.
Psych(o) paths: The variability of a psychology degree
Gaslight. Narcissist. Trauma response. Terms like these have proliferated through today’s society along with an uptick in interest of psychology. This increasing popularity has created not only a major point of interest among students but also opened the door to diverse career paths.
The blatant truth about Brandy Melville
Inside almost every young women’s closet, you can find the highly questionable and controversial business of Brandy Melville. This fashion symbol of our youth’s culture has held a distinctive grasp on women for the past decade through their minimalist and effortlessly fashionable clothes.
Athletes continually facing criticism over self-expression
College athletes often face criticism due to concerns about expression, as they gain significant revenue and attention from the recently allowed NIL deals, and for universities while receiving limited compensation and facing strict rules regarding NIL endorsements and outside income. Recently, college basketball players Jared Mccain and Caleb Williams have been criticized for painting their nails, and they additionally signed with nail polish companies to update their NIL catalog. After these signings, they were bombarded with negative comments, surrounding and questioning the player's sexuality.
The Renaissance of Digital Art
Digital art first blossomed in the late 90s and early 2000s and while initial forms of it were not as expansive as current apps such as Procreate, these beginning stages opened a new medium into the art world.
KCRW, Keeping Local Radio Alive Since 1945
In recent years, radio channels have declined in quality while platforms like Spotify and Apple Music have replaced go-to sources of personalized sound. Amidst these modern music empires, KCRW, an iconic radio station based in Santa Monica, is hard at work to keep independent media alive.
Anti-Semitic Graffiti Prompts Response in Santa Monica
On Apr. 8, multiple reports came out detailing the use of swastikas and other anti-Semitic graffiti marked on sidewalks, trees and lamp posts within the SM-Pico neighborhood.
Samo choir echoes their Spain trip at Cathedral Classics
On Friday April 19, 2024, Samo’s top choir showcased their skills at the Cathedral Classics Concert, held in the foyer of Barnum Hall. This performance culminated their recent tour across several Spanish cities such as Barcelona, Zaragoza, Segovia, Madrid, Toledo and Burgos, where their melodious voices graced iconic cathedrals, including the renowned Catedral de Burgos.
European soccer’s top teams fight for league titles
As we begin to prepare for summer, Europe’s biggest soccer leagues are preparing to crown their newest champions. Europe’s, and subsequently the world’s top five leagues, are in England, Germany, France, Italy and Spain. They range from having 34 to 38 games per season with a point system of zero points for a loss, one point for a tie and three points for a win.
Boys’ tennis find success amidst challenging season
The Samo boys’ tennis team started off the season strong with a big win against Venice when the Vikings defeated the Gondoliers 16-2 on Feb. 29. They played their final match on Monday, April 22 against Culver City, ending the season on a high note with a win of 11-7. Although the team performed well on both ends of the season, they faced challenges in consistently holding their form steady. The Samo boys’ tennis team finished the season with a record of 5-9.
The College Admissions is Raising its Bar
This year, the looming anxieties that seniors must face when applying to colleges didn’t budge, and neither did the privatized aspect of most Ivy and UC institutions. It seems as though highly regarded colleges are only accepting students who have essentially accomplished career-level achievements, such as writing books and creating start-ups, and even then, these kids are being rejected from their dream schools.
Recognizing subtle sexism in advertising
The fUTURE OF THE SANTA MONICA Airport
While the Santa Monica Airport is projected to close by the end of 2028, its spaces are being utilized in contemporary ways.
HOTLB: WHAT’s TO COME IN MARCH MADNESS
Track optimistic after record breaking Pre-season
During the 2022-2023 track season, Samo’s track stars set records, advancing individuals and relay teams into CIF. Last season, the 4x200 team of Lucas Milk (’24), Dylan Hanvey (’23), Spencer Hotch (’24), and Gus Reyman (’23) broke the school record twice for a final time of 1:29.03. The Samo team appeared in multiple prestigious track meets including The Arcadia , the Redondo, and the Mt. SAC Invitationals where the team proved themselves against other highly ranked runners.
SAMOHI STUDENT WINS SILVER AND GOLD IN 2024 PAN AMERICAN FENCING CHAMPIONSHIP
Spring Break Staycations
For those who are in town for Spring Break, and still are seeking an abnormal adventure, don’t spend your spring break rotting away in your bed. Your newfound time is a perfect opportunity to take advantage of all southern California has to offer.
Girls’ beach volleyball makes waves in the 2024 season
After only two years as an official Samo sport, Samo girls’ beach volleyball team is gearing up for their third season in CIF. In their 2023 season, the team placed fourth in the Bay League after a tough loss against Mira Costa, Beverly Hills and Palos Verdes, but a successful win against Redondo. The girls began practicing on the sand immediately following the end of the indoor volleyball season under the guidance of Coach Liane Sato.
sports culture: why it’s deeper than just a game
It can be agreed upon that sports have turned into a sort of religion in the United States. For many, there is much more behind sports than just playing and watching the game itself. The fan bases and traditions behind each sports team and players make a significant difference in sports culture.
March Madness: UConn and South Carolina reign supreme
The 2024 NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments have concluded, marking the end of another chapter in the story: March Madness. A surge of excitement in women's basketball has increased popularity, while the men's tournament saw more predictable results.
Samo alumni Greg Morena gives winter sports athletes NIL course to learn crucial money management skills
Samo Theatre performed The Phantom of the Opera to sold-out audiences for two weekends, from February 23 to March 3, setting the stage with luxurious costumes, digital backgrounds and operatic singing.
Federal aid falls behind as college expenses are on the rise
While students wait for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on how much government money they’re getting, some short-term fixes may alleviate the stress on the expenses of colleges.