ASB leadership chaos: Are we really a STUDENT body?
From the change in advisor leadership, to the questionable election mishaps, the Samo Associative Student Body (ASB) has suffered from much internal turmoil. This has prompted many questions about the leadership in the class and transparency within the association itself.
Samo students walkout against Trump administration
On Feb. 5, Samo students along with other schools walked out against President Donald Trump and the policies he introduced to America as the new president.
Girls’ basketball makes CIF, exits first round
The Samo girls’ basketball team ended their season on Feb. 13 after a 32-34 loss to Lawndale in the first round of the CIF playoffs. The team finished with an overall record of 11-15 and a league record of 6-4.
Trump’s second term kicks off with controversy
In the month since his second term as president of the United States began, Donald Trump has taken action on a multitude of issues such as foreign and social policy as well as immigration and the economy. In less than 30 days, Trump’s controversial executive orders, cabinet picks and pardons have shaken up the country and world.
SM Airport takes its final landing: Great Park takes off
Clover Park, interlaced with play structures, swing sets, bike paths and more, is the quintessential site for local gatherings. Located in the heart of Santa Monica, there isn't a natural space that’s more widely loved. This is why I was shocked to discover that Clover Park was once embedded in a park over 10 times its size and that there is a possibility of it returning.
Samo girls’ soccer falls short in first round of CIF’s
With the Samo girls’ soccer season coming to an end, finishing second in the Ocean League, the team is proud of their accomplished run. The team ended their regular season with a record of 7-2, a notable achievement after switching from the Bay League.
Samo cheer returns to competition after four year hiatus
On Jan. 25, the Samo cheerleading team took part in four Double A Medium Division CIF competitions at Riverside’s Martin Luther King High School. The event marked the teams return to competition after more than four years of not participating, due to the instability in coaching.
Signing Day: 12 Samo athletes make their college commitments official
On Feb. 5, Samo hosted their school-wide edition of national signing day for 12 committing senior athletes in the North Gym. Various sports teams came to support the athletes signing and cheer them on from afar. Surrounded by friends, family, coaches and staff, these athletes officially committed to their respective colleges, with putting pen to paper. They celebrated years of dedication and hard work. The event highlighted some of the athletes achievements and each respective coach gave a short speech commending the dedication they had given these past four years. As they embark on the next chapter, they look ahead to the next level of competition, ready to bring the same dedication and hard work to their college teams.
Our Last Names
Last names, commonly seen as family identifiers, can carry different meanings, structures and significance depending on each family’s traditions. Traditionally passed down from generation to generation in America, typically on the father’s side, last names can hold various meanings. Across the world, different countries have different cultural significance in their surnames, bringing people together while telling stories through waves of each generation. Samo’s diverse student body shares the stories behind their last names.
Music
Music is a universal language, transcending beyond borders and time. Despite disconnects in language, culture and generations, music has the power to bring people together, something everyone has in common. The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Amy Winehouse and Beyonce—each artist defines a generation. Music is more than just a sound; it is a bridge between generations, a shared experience that connects people across time. The songs of each era influence how society views the world and communicates with one another. Kloe Taheri (’26) noticed how songs from all generations always come back, to refine and benefit society.
After the flames: political disputes and policy management
The recent Los Angeles wildfires have been among the most devastating in the city’s history. The fires resulted in $275 billion worth of devastation and over 16,000 structures burned. In addition to the obliteration of numerous homes and businesses, a significant amount of resources were utilized during this period. 7,500 firemen combated the fires, with international support from Mexican and Canadian firefighters and hundreds of thousands of gallons of water used to help combat the fires.
A kalediscope of school spirit lightsup the gym in Winter Rally
On Feb. 7, students gathered in the North gym for the first battle of the grades pep rally. The rally was split up into sections: Freshman v. Sophomore and Junior v. Senior, energy and excitement had been building up throughout the week leading to the event, with active participation spirit days.
Trauma
Generational trauma, also known as intergenerational trauma, refers to the transmission of emotional and psychological trauma across multiple generations. This phenomenon suggests that the effects of traumatic events extend beyond those who directly experience them, influencing the lives of their descendants. First introduced by psychologists in the 1960s, the concept highlights how unaddressed trauma can extend throughout families, affecting future generations’ mental health and overall well-being.
New Climate Corps club empowers youth action
Climate Corps is dedicated to educating people about the climate, and has recently created a new, year-round club. Students are invited to join the club - ages 15 to 21 - at 237 Hill Street, Santa Monica. The club is an offshoot of a pre-existing Climate Corps program, hosted by Climate Action Santa Monica (CASM).
Boys’ soccer advance to playoffs semi-finals
The Samo boys’ varsity soccer team has had a season of immense success, earning the title of Ocean league champs and league tournament champs, in addition to qualifying for CIF-SS Open-Division playoffs for the first time in school history. Although they had a disheartening season last year, having an overall record of 9-10-1, the Samo boys’ varsity soccer team has come back soaring.