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.
Pardon me, Mr. President!
Mere hours after his return to presidency, Donald Trump dealt one of his first (of many) devastating blows to our justice system; granting sweeping pardons, commutations and case dismissals for more than 1,500 rioters involved in the 2021 Jan. 6 Capitol riots.
Sundance Film Festival: catapulting acting careers
The Sundance Film Festival has brought remarkable opportunities to aspiring filmmakers and actors, ready to make their mark on the world. Every year the Sundance Institute hosts the festival in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah. This year out of 15,775 total film submissions and 484 episodic submissions, the festival debuted 88 feature films and six episodic projects, both fiction and nonfiction, each film inspiringly unique.
“Severance”: Good tv is back, you’re just not watching
As a die-hard Adam Scott fan, a fiend for cinematic memory-wipes (“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” supremacy), and a staunch critic of capitalistic greed, I was bound to love “Severance”. But even if you don’t fit that mold, trust me: this show is a goddamn masterpiece.
A mixed perspective
It’s common to feel like you’re not enough of something—not pretty enough, not smart enough, not cool enough. But to feel as though you are not enough of your being—of what you are, blood, skin, and bones—is a different feeling entirely. Being mixed makes you wonder if you’re enough of your being.
Studet movements are shaping a better future
Student activism and teenagers have long been at the forefront of radical social justice movements and a powerful force for change. From the Civil Rights movement to climate strikes, it forces us to rethink the world we live in. Yet, whether student activism is truly effective solely depends on the organization and reach of the campaigns, along with the momentum and traction gained by supporters.
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.
Creatively captivating Cafe Samo
Mere hours after his return to presidency, Donald Trump dealt one of his first (of many) devastating blows to our justice system; granting sweeping pardons, commutations and case dismissals for more than 1,500 rioters involved in the 2021 Jan. 6 Capitol riots.
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.
Professional athletes share perspective through podcasts
Recently, professional athletes have increasingly turned to podcasting as a platform to share their perspectives, insights and opinions. With the rise of digital media, these podcasts have become a significant trend within the sports industry. But why are athletes starting these podcasts, what social impact do they have, and how do they affect their teams and leagues?
impact of air quality upon athletes amidst recent fires
Athletes in Los Angeles face unique challenges posed by the city’s air quality ranging from city pollution to wildfires. Air quality can have a major impact on an athlete's performance, health and overall well-being.
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.
Steep prices and steep slopes in the us vs europe
Skiing has grown enormously in popularity throughout the years, but so have its expenses. As skiing is one of the biggest winter sports, only a small group of individuals can call it a common hobby as the price of a single ski trip can cost thousands of dollars. As so many travel around the world to experience the thrill of winter sports, the US and Europe remain the two biggest hot spots; but the question comes down to which trip is worth your money.
