Bitopics: Blurring bounadries
Biopics; taking real stories and -for the most part- twisting the truth. This form of media has been increasingly both popular and incredibly controversial in recent years. Whether it’s misrepresentation, or simply flat-out lies, there are evident dramatics used as tools to create certain narratives and push agendas in much of the biopic hemisphere.
Turning Pages on the promenade
A new chapter begins in Santa Monica as the grand opening of Barnes & Nobles on the Third Street promenade emerges.
An athlete’s guide to preventing sports injuries
Derrick Rose, Robert Griffin III, Greg Oden. The list of promising athletes who have had their career cut short due to injuries goes on and on. Sports injuries are some of the most devastating things to happen to any athlete. Luckily, there are ways to prevent them.
ADHD meds linked to increased psychosis risk, study finds
A recent study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that taking ADHD medication may lead to a greater risk of developing psychosis or mania. ADHD medicine is one of the most common prescription medicines among adolescents. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 15 percent of high school seniors reported use of ADHD medication in 2022. This figure may translate to roughly 100 kids at Samo.
Study finds: Santa Monica is bad for business
Santa Monica is the most expensive city to conduct business in, according to a recent study performed by Claremont McKenna College’s Rose Institute. The study analyzed a set of cost-related factors in 216 cities all across the nation. There were seven sections of the study- business license fee, utility tax, sales tax, minimum wage, average community rent, crime index and housing affordability index. Each city was ranked on a scale and Santa Monica placed the worst within every section of the study.
Bandaids on Bullet Wounds: new UC Weaponry
Our First amendment is at risk as weaponry has been let into UC campuses, in the face of protesting about the Israel-Hamas war. Non-lethal weapons such as pepper balls and sponge rounds, projectile launchers and new drones have been admitted for usage. Such an interesting way to remove our rights.
Teens in crisis: addressing high school mental health
Schools across the country have witnessed an extreme mental health crisis afflicting their students.
According to Mental Health America, 20.17 percent of youth (ages 12-17) reported suffering from at least one major depressive episode (MDE) in the past year.
Even starker, the CDC found that more than 4 in 10 (42 percent) students felt persistently sad or hopeless and nearly one-third (29 percent) experienced poor mental health.
With college applications for seniors coming up, hours of homework a night and extracurriculars becoming overwhelming for high schoolers, there has been a rise in awareness of the pressure brought on students. Mental health is an invisible struggle that many students across the nation go through, although we may not be able to see it, it often leads to students having to struggle alone. The academic standard that students are being held to is becoming unmanageable and anxiety inducing to many.
Lakers’ father-son duo set the stage for a new era
The Los Angeles Lakers, led by superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, were eliminated in the first round of the NBA playoffs last season by the Denver Nuggets. After a fourth straight season of disappointment, the Lakers were looking to make some serious changes.
Day of the Dead gallery
On Oct. 24 from 4-6 PM, Roberts Art Gallary at Samo hosted a vibrant Dia De Los Muertos art exhibition. The event showcased an array of artistic expressions, featuring Ofrendas, artwork from AP art, drawing, ceramics and film, along with contributions from John Adams Middle School.
Magical Royalty: Meet the 2024 homecoming court
Following this year's homecoming dance and festivities, samo students nominated their favorites for homecoming court. The ten finalists share their thoughts and feelings about being on homecoming court.
Melodies merge at Samo choir and orchestra concerts
Samo Choir and Orchestra took center stage in their fall concerts and filled Barnum Hall with their harmonious voices and instruments. Choir showcased their contemporary favorites along with the addition of skillfully choreographed dances, while orchestra played a medley of their most loved Disney songs. Both productions emphasized Samo students' immense talent and dedication to their crafts and left the audience awestruck by their incredible capability fostered at such a young age.
dancing away in the enchanted forest
Homecoming is a flashy celebration where students can dress up and enjoy themselves mingling with friends on a starry night while celebrating a new school year.
New Samo art clubs paint fresh canvases of creativity
New art clubs across Samo aspire to support student artists of all skill sets and create communities that foster artistic expression and imagination. Collage Club, Crochet for a Cause Club and Zine Club provide a space for students to relax and express themselves.
Samo football looks to secure spot in CIF playoffs
The Samo football team currently holds an overall record of 4-5 as they head towards the end of their season. With four league games down, Samo has been gearing up for their final home game against Peninsula that will conclude their regular season. Special leadership has been shown by the captains throughout the season that has built a stronger team and community of players.
Your ultimate scary movie survival kit!
Spooky season is here and with that comes all things scary. Horror movie nights are a thrilling way to spend a fall evening, especially on Halloween. For a perfect spooky film night, the following checklist is all that is needed. Go plan one!
Independent cinemas and the future of film
On Sept. 22, the AMC Broadway 4 located on the 3rd Street Promenade closed down, marking the end of its film legacy. With the beloved Santa Monica location gone, it leaves only one AMC, the Santa Monica 7, and two other cinemas in the city: The Aero on Montana Ave. and Laemmle on 2nd St.
Cross-country on road to CIF
Halfway through the 2024 cross-country season, the varsity teams have made a name for themselves in their first year in the Ocean League. So far, the boys have won two meets and the girls have won one, coming second in others. With performances like these, the team is on track to qualify for the CIF Preliminaries, needing a top-three finish in Ocean League to do so.
From Student to staff: katie saunders re-joins Samo
Santa Monica High School alumni Katie Saunders (’17) is returning to Samo as an assistant coach and teacher. Saunders is leading cross country, track and field and Sports Medicine classes regular and advanced, while additionally training to teach physiology for a future Sports Medicine pathway. With ambitious goals set for her dual roles, Saunders is back at her alma mater, bringing wisdom and experience as a staff member.
The end of California legacy admissions
On Sept. 30, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1780, prohibiting legacy and donor preference admissions for private universities in California.