Surgical Skills club hosts porcine cardiothoraCic surgery workshop
Samo’s Surgical Skills Club, run by president Alex Sebastian (’26), hosted a cardiothoracic surgery workshop on Friday, Feb. 25. The event was in collaboration with Paul Chang, a world-renowned educator for students interested in surgery. Chang, the Cardiac Surgery Surgical Skill Education Center founder at Stanford University, has over 35 years of experience in the field of medicine. In 2013, he founded the American Academy of Medicine & Surgery, furthering his appreciation for education, with his expertise being in surgical skills education.
Malibu schools and PCH reopen following Palisades fires
Plans to construct an upgraded building on the Samo campus are set to begin in the summer of 2026. The district has finalized their decision in hiring contracting firm Erickson-Hall Construction Co. The new building, named the Student Services Building, will replace the Business Building, creating a new space for student use.
SMMUSD hires contractor for new student services building
Plans to construct an upgraded building on the Samo campus are set to begin in the summer of 2026. The district has finalized their decision in hiring contracting firm Erickson-Hall Construction Co. The new building, named the Student Services Building, will replace the Business Building, creating a new space for student use.
New branch of Din Tai Fung opens in Santa Monica Place
Santa Monica’s own branch of the beloved restaurant Din Tai Fung had its grand opening on Feb. 28 on the third floor of the Santa Monica Place next to the 3rd Street Promenade.
California beaches threatened by fire pollution
The Palisades and Eaton fires, which occurred in January, have significantly impacted California’s marine ecosystem. With a large amount of debris contaminating the ocean, there is potential for an ecological crisis. Approximately 4.5 million tons of toxic waste were generated from the fires, some of which is now being washed up on the Los Angeles Coast. This includes harmful pollutants and carcinogenic [cancer-causing] chemicals. With this, the Los Angeles County Department of Health prohibited swimming at beaches, with undisclosed dates of when they are going to be opened back up to the public.
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.
ASB ballot mishap; candidate disqualification
On Wednesday, Feb. 12, Samo’s Associated Student Body (ASB) held their annual election for the upcoming school year’s Executive Board. Unlike years prior, this year, the presidential candidate listed ran unopposed, with no option for an alternative candidate.
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.
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.
Samo welcomes new students as community rallies together after fires
On Jan. 7 fire broke out through the Palisades and Pasadena, collectively burning over 36,000 acres and destroying over 22,000 structures. As of Jan. 29, there have been 145 requests for enrollment from students displaced by wildfires. Seventy-seven were approved for enrollment, with 46 of those approved being in SMMUSD schools.
Samo moves forward with its transition to eLectric buses
Global design firm Stantec will work with Santa Monica to arrange a charging schedule for the new buses and coordinate with drivers—photo from Stantec.
OpenAI Makes the Switch to a for Profit Corporation
OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, announced its change in designation to a for-profit company on Dec. 24, 2024. The company was founded to use artificial intelligence for humanity’s benefit. The switch has prompted the California Department of Justice to start an investigation into the company. Discussions about the operations of OpenAI have always been rampant, and this recent decision has become a prominent talking point in the tech world. OpenAI has stated its plan to restructure as a public benefit corporation, or P.B.C., which is a for-profit corporation designed to create public and social good.
Assessing the environmental toll on LA
As of Feb. 3, the Palisades and Eaton fire have been 100 percent contained. With the fires finished, many in the Los Angeles County Community are now faced with challenging environmental changes that have followed as a result.
SM and the new immigration policy
President Donald J. Trump began his second term on Jan. 20th and subsequently has major plans to revamp the current federal immigration policy. Many of these changes will directly impact citizens nationwide and even Samo students, as immigrants make up 23.2 percent of the population in Santa Monica.
Here’s what you need to know about the la wildfires
On Tuesday, Jan. 7, the Greater Los Angeles area was set ablaze in a series of the most destructive wildfires in LA history, destroying thousands of structures and taking many lives. These are the costliest wildfires in California history, with over $200 billion worth of destruction.
A BOOST for health students at LACCD
The Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) is in the process of implementing a new program called Building Outstanding Opportunities for Students to Thrive or otherwise known as BOOST. BOOST selects 250 students pursuing health careers to receive a thousand dollars each month for one year to help students who face financial challenges and might otherwise struggle to continue their education.
Lost Landmarks
A devastating start to 2025 has seen more than 40,000 acres and 12,000 structures burned as a result of the Los Angeles wildfires that first erupted in the Pacific Palisades on Jan. 7. ABC News states that “the Los Angeles fires are already the costliest wildfires in history — not only in California, but in all of the U.S.” This is not only due to the wide range of the fires in a densely populated area, but also the damage done to iconic historical sites and cultural landmarks.