ASB elections bring new leadership
The results of the 2025-2026 school year’s Associated Student Body (ASB) elections came out on Feb. 18, and with them, a shift in school leadership will shape the direction of student life and planned events for the upcoming school year. After many weeks of campaigning, speeches and unique media pushes, such as specialized campaign videos and posters, the new ASB board is now in place, ready to take on the newfound responsibilities of properly and effectively representing their peers.
Senior Assassin Brings Eliminations and Entertainment
On Feb. 17, the seniors began their game of senior assassin- attempting to spray each other with water to “assassinate” a target given.
Club Day funds clubs one bite at a time
On Feb. 19, Samo hosted its second club day of the year to support students who need fundraising for their clubs.
HOTLB: Why do teachers decorate their rooms?
Every day, going to school can seem like a chore. Still, with the help of teachers decorating their rooms to make them more vibrant and unique, students enjoy seeing every decoration, from old photographs to freshly new student paintings around the classroom. Having creativity displayed all over campus, Samo’s teachers hold some of the most expressive classrooms, embellished with their authenticity. Looking at various classrooms scattered across campus, Samo teachers said they enjoy bringing life into their classrooms to make students’ days better.
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.
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.
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).
Samohi’s students campaign for 2026 ASB exec. positions
Take a closer look at all ASB executive runners for the 2025-2026 school year!
Memorable moments that defined the trends of 2024
2024 was a year filled with constant change, from fashion embracing maximalism with bold oversized styles and food trends focused on experimenting with unexpected flavors, to the election, where candidates spoke on climate change and women’s reproductive rights.
What makes an ASB campaign click beyond the ‘like’ button
As ASB executive board applications are approaching, many prospective students are preparing to run for leadership positions in office. Whether running for president, secretary, or any other position, an effective campaign strategy is essential.
theater behind the scenes
On Nov. 11, Samo Theater hosted its closing show of The Outsiders. As the audience applauded the actors and actresses, many students were working hard behind the scenes to make this play possible. Creating alluring characters through their costumes, makeup, props and more, the cast and crew of Samo’s theater program spent weeks preparing their debut.
DTLA Welcomes new christmas market
On Nov. 29, Downtown Los Angeles welcomed the Los Angeles Christmas Market for the first time. Themed as the bustling city of Germany, the market features festive holiday music, freshly baked food, treats and dozens of open-air booths.
UBSUC vice president elected from Samo
On Nov. 16, Aaliyah McGee (’26) was elected as the second Vice President of Southern California for the United Black Student Unionion, representing Samo on the USBC Board. UBSUC is a platform for Black students all across California, which is divided into three regions: Northern, Central, and Southern. McGee is a part of the Southern region, where many high schools gather for conferences, workshops, and networking events. The board members are responsible for organizing these events, reaching out to colleges for space and speakers, and providing resources such as scholarships and internships for students.
Small acts make big impacts
As the holiday season approaches, students can agree on the importance of giving back. Volunteering allows you to give back to the community by helping others or making a positive impact, no matter how small. It offers a meaningful opportunity to help others and make a positive impact on the community. Nevertheless, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved. Here are some great places to volunteer and make the most of your winter break!
Samo Students win award at first Model UN conference of the year
On Nov. 9 and 10, Model United Nations (known as Model UN) had its first conference of the 2024 school year.
School abroad vs. America: students share their experiences
The student body at Santa Monica High School reflects a diverse community of peers from different cultures, backgrounds, and even countries. While many students have lived in America their whole lives, others have been students around the world, bringing an international perspective to their education at Samo.
Behind The Scenes: From prep to plate - serving thousands
Diving into the behind-the-scenes of the school cafeteria.
Different ThanksGiving Cultures
Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude and community , whether you visit Marelle Santa Monica for their famous thanksgiving brunch or have a large gathering with loved ones and a traditional dinner , thanksgiving is a cherished holiday in America, which is celebrated in various forms that reflect diverse cultural values and traditions. American Thanksgiving is traditionally marked by the huge turkey sitting on the table for Thanksgiving dinner, pumpkin pie , gatherings between family and friends and traditional decorations such as accents of brown and orange to represent the fall leaves, and mini pilgrim hats and turkeys to showcase American history. However, many other cultures have various ways of representing thanks and celebrating their harvest. From the vibrant festivals of India to the communal feasts in Japan, each celebration offers a glimpse into the heart of its people and now explores the different ways cultures celebrate Thanksgiving, delving into their unique traditions, foods, rituals, and festivals that embody the spirit of thankfulness.
Behind The Scenes: Inside ASB’s event planning process
Every school year, ASB puts in the hard work and commitment for the entertainment of students. Through the pep rallies and dressing up for Spirit Week, ASB does a lot more than students see.