March madness
68 teams, six rounds, one winner. This year’s March Madness begins on March 18 and will crown a champion on April 7. The single-elimination college basketball tournament is an American establishment and has acted as the national championship for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 College Basketball since 1939. Last year, a combined nearly 34 million viewers tuned in to the finals of the men’s and women’s tournament.
Tentative peace talks begin Between Russia and Ukraine
After over eleven years of conflict, world leaders have met to discuss a resolution to the Russo-Ukrainian war. President Donald Trump, who made promises to end the conflict in his first 24 hours in office, has been in negotiation talks with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy since mid-February.
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.
Hygge: Finding cheer in simplicity
Hygge (hyoo-guh), a staple characteristic of Danish and Scandinavian culture, is the quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality synonymous with the holiday season.
Girls’ basketball aims to make playoffs after patchy start
The girls’ basketball team had a disappointing year last year, notching only four wins in regular season play and just falling short of the playoffs. This year’s team however is more experienced, having a large portion of last year’s roster returning for the season. With one of the largest senior classes in recent years, head coach Lance Radford is hopeful the team will find more success than last year.
Marching band’s championship run reflects both art and athletics
Samo’s marching band finished their season 4th in 5A with a score of 88.2 at Championships this past Saturday, Nov. 23. While the band’s performance is undeniably an achievement, it resurfaces the challenge of categorizing marching band as either a sport or a performing art. Marching band walks a fine line between physical performance and artistic expression, blending musical talent with technical skill and athleticism, making it tough to distinguish the activity as either a sport or an art.
Election aftermath: Democrats shaky as right sweeps
Donald Trump and the Republican Party came out
victorious after a historic election this past month. In
congress, the Republicans maintained control of the
House with a majority of 220 to 215 and flipped four
senate seats to secure a 53 to 47 majority. In regards to
the presidential race, all seven swing states voted con-
servative as Trump won both the electoral college and
popular vote—312 to 216 and 50 percent to 48.3 per-
cent, respectively. Contrarily, in Samo’s mock election,
Harris received 71 percent of the votes while Trump
received 12.4 percent. When Trump is inaugurated
as the 47th president of the United States on Jan. 20,
2025, the Republican party will control the judicial,
legislative and executive branches of the United States.
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.
SMRR: the renters’ rights organization pulling the ropes
Santa Monicans For Renters’ Rights (SMRR) has doubled as a renters’ rights organization and the leading voting slate in Santa Monica for the past 40 years.
Bergamot Station: Train tracks to masterpieces
In a world where nothing good seems to be free, Bergamot Station Arts Center, located on the corner of Olympic Boulevard and 26th St, somehow seems to slip the mind of every high schooler in Santa Monica. Funded by the city of Santa Monica, the former train depot has managed to stay free to the public for its entire 30-year existence while simultaneously staying firmly atop the West Side art scene.