What’s going on around Samo?
Metro expands its “TAP-to-Exit” program in Santa Monica
Arata Sakamoto / The Samohi
The Downtown Santa Monica Metro station is one location that has implemented TAP-to-Exit.
Metro has implemented their ‘TAP-to-Exit’ pilot program in Santa Monica, aiming to reduce fare evasion. The program enforces Metro riders to tap their fare cards when exiting the stations. Not only will this help ensure that riders have paid their fares but also adds an extra layer of security, decreasing criminal activities. According to the data from Metro’s three contracted law enforcement partners, 94 percent of individuals arrested on the system for violent crimes did not own valid fares or TAP cards. To amend this, Metro has implemented the TAP-to-Exit program in order to prevent fare evasions and maintain a safe environment for their riders. In less than two months, the North Hollywood station saw a 40 percent decrease in reported crimes, fights, drug use and graffiti. Since then, Metro has expanded the program to all 10 end-of-line stations, including the E-Line’s Downtown Santa Monica Station on Sept. 3. Metro aims to enforce this program at all stations, making sure that the riders are able to. However, Danna Garcia (’28), a Samo student who rides the Metro to school, has noted that the impact is limited as not all stations have implemented the program.
“I don’t see a difference because there’s other stations that don’t use [TAP-to-Exit], so other people can still get in,” Garcia said.
Samo elects new Student Board Representative
Arata Sakamoto / The Samohi
Castanaza is one of two students attending SMMUSD board meetings as a student representative, the other of which represents Malibu.
Haley Castanaza (’26) has been elected to the Board of Education as the Santa Monica High School Student Board Member for the 2024-2025 school year.
Castanaza’s role as a student representative requires her to attend all district meetings, give new insights and updates and keep the community, board members and superintendent informed from a student’s perspective. She will be representing Samo as well as John Adams Middle School and Lincoln Middle School.
According to the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, student representation allows for a more inclusive and representative environment. Castanaza described that in being given this opportunity, she acts as a voice for those that are unheard.
“[My position] gives me the opportunity to have a voice for other students on and off campus and inspire them,” Castanaza said. “What I mean by this is, it's not just our school I wanted to represent, it's also the incoming freshmen so they can also have a voice when they get to high school.”
Castanaza mentioned that she was inspired by her brother Nathan Castanaza (’24), who was a former Student Board Member.
“I liked watching him do his position, because I would attend the board meetings too, since they were on Zoom during the COVID era,” said Castanaza. “I like how he and the people in the board meeting spoke…so I think that kind of made me want to do the position as well, following in his footsteps.”
College Fair let students explore schools
Arata Sakamoto / The Samohi
Samo students gather around representatives from Woodbury University and Cal State Monterey.
On Oct. 10, PTSA and College Center hosted the College Fair in Samo’s cafeteria and the Discovery Quad. Over 80 local, regional and national colleges and university representatives gathered to set up stands. College Fair is an opportunity to introduce high school students to colleges they may be interested in. In addition, students can ask and receive helpful information, advice, and answers to their questions.
Libero Somaini (’25) found that the college fair was helpful in gathering new information about colleges and the application process. For this reason, he recommends the fair to others, noting that it will reduce their nervousness about college by allowing them to feel more prepared.
“I recommend the college fair for other people because it allows you to get new information about schools,” Somaini said. “You can kind of get a little bit of a feel for it by talking to the people.”