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.
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.
What’s going on around Samo?
Metro expands its “TAP-to-exit” program to Santa Monica, Samo elects new Student Board Representative, and College Fair lets students explore schools
Girls’ golf team captains shine amidst league struggles
The Santa Monica High School girls' varsity golf team finished the 2024 fall season with a final record of 1-6, ending 5th out of 5 in the league. Despite the team’s inconsistency, both team captains, Frances Aguilar (’26) and Cash Henton (’25) made it to league finals, with Aguilar additionally advancing to the first round of CIF.
Lights, camera, Viking TV
The new elective Film & Video has brought a fresh set of skills to Samo students. Film and Video teacher Ruth Carters’ classes are dedicated to teaching students film & video production. The Film & Video elective is currently working on a show, set to broadcast in the spring, enlightening students on the goings on at Samo.
Boys’ waterpolo advances in CIF Playoffs
Samo varsity boys’ water polo ended their regular league season with a win on Wednesday, Oct. 23 against Malibu High School. They are now moving forward into Division lll CIF playoffs. Boys’ water polo will go into CIF with a record of 16-14 in overall play, and 2-4 in league play.
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.
Historic spending helps Dodgers reach World Series
The Los Angeles Dodgers finished the 2024 regular season with the best record in Major League Baseball (MLB) at 98-64, and booked themselves a trip to the World Series after the most expensive spending spree in the team's history.
HOTLB: College Fear Hits Seniors
The college application process is in full swing at Samo, with seniors sending in applications as soon as Nov. 1. As Samo seniors write essays, assemble their applications and visit potential colleges, worries about life away from home arise. Moving across the country, leaving family and friends and simply surviving alone are common fears of the college-bound class.