The Corsair Spring 2023 – Issue 3

News | pg. 3

Photo Story | pg. 4-5

Sports | pg. 6-7

Arts & Entertainment | pg. 8

EDITORIAL STAFF

Sasha Funes | Editor-in-Chief

Conor Heeley | Managing Editor

Anna Sophia Moltke | Photo Editor

Antoineé Jones | News Editor

Baleigh O'Brien | Arts & Entertainment Editor

Taylor Smith | Arts & Entertainment Editor

Michael Zavala | Culture Editor

Sydney Partyka | Opinion Editor

Ryan Watts | Sports Editor

Jackson Tammariello | Copy Editor

Dylan Dayton | Copy Editor

Katheryne Menendez | Digital Editor

Christina Torres | Social Media Editor

Callie Yiu | Multimedia Editor

Presley Alexander | Multimedia Editor

Caylo Seals | Design Editor

Alejandro Contreras | Design Editor

CORSAIR STAFF

Isaac Manno | Jehrid Hale | Nicholas McCall |

Claude Epperson | Danilo Perez | Damond Collier

Sr. | Rebecca Hogan | Maria Lebedev | Rafaella Cruz

Ramaciote | Victor Chambers | Aaron Wiria | Bryan

Antunez | Shaylee Guerrero | Ilayda Gercek | Jorge

Devotto Ordonez | Daniel De Anda | My'Dari Baker

| Vanessa Daily | Ashley Chinchilla | Kevin Tidmore

|

Akemi Rico | Amanda Villamil-Solano | Sebastian

Villamil | Torrie Krantz-Klein | Josh Hogan | Richard Mendez | Tyler Simms

FACULTY ADVISORS

Ashanti Blaize-Hopkins | Journalism Advisor

Gerard Burkhart | Photo Advisor

Samantha Nuñez | Social Media Advisor

CONTACT

Editor-in-Chief | corsair.editorinchief@gmail.com

Managing Editor | corsair.managing@gmail.com

SOCIAL MEDIA

Twitter | the_corsair

Instagram | corsairnews

Facebook | thecorsairnews

YouTube | thecorsaironline

WEBSITE www.thecorsaironline.com

FRONT PAGE

Marathon runner passes by mile 19 on Santa Monica Blvd. heading West. He crosses the colorful background of the Valley Runners Los Angeles cheering spot during the 38th Annual L.A. Marathon. Sunday, March 19, 2023. Los Angeles, Calif.

(Jorge Devotto | The Corsair)

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

The best learning experiences can come when you least expect it. I was fortunate enough to have an all expense paid trip to San Francisco to attend the Journalism Association of Community Colleges (JACC) and Associated Collegiate Press (ACP) conferences from March 9 to 12. I had the opportunity to attend countless breakout sessions on building one's journalistic repertoire. The sessions, led by various guest speakers from all over the country, ranged in topics from how to be a better journalist in the 21st century to diversity in the journalism world. I couldn’t have been more grateful to have attended this educational experience.

Before flying out, I lacked confidence as a leader. As a result I experienced a case of imposter syndrome. I felt like a fraud and that I didn’t belong in the position or environment I was in. Santa Monica College (SMC) is a very diverse campus. While the student body includes 41.5% Hispanic students –– last reported in 2021, the journalism field is unique. As a Hispanic female trying to pursue a degree in sports journalism, the idea that I do not belong is emphasized by how few women are in positions of influence in the journalism workforce.

Throughout my time at SMC, I’ve been able to meet students going through similar experiences. It doesn’t matter what field of study they’re in, every kind of student faces difficult challenges and growing pains. I’ve interviewed multiple student-athletes who appear confident while playing their respective sports, but tell a completely different story off the field. At the conference, I met student journalists in the same position and it really put how I was feeling into perspective.

One of the most important lessons I gained at the conference was that I earned my position by putting in hard work. I was selected because the advisors saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself. The same can apply to any student. We are all where we’re supposed to be. We put in the hard work and dedication to get us here today and I think those going through imposter syndrome should always remember that.

Sasha Funes Editor-in-Chief

Gerard Burkhart | The Corsair

From left to right, Nicholas McCall, Sasha Funes, Conor Heeley

LAUSD staff & teachers Rally for Better Pay

Members of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 99 are holding a three-day strike from March 21 to March 23 following failed negotiations with Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Superintendent Alberto Carvalho. They are joined by United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) in solidarity.

Over 60,000 teachers and staff are taking part in demanding an increase in worker wages and benefits. SEIU members, which includes bus drivers, cafeteria workers and custodians, said that many of the workers earn below the federal poverty level and face homelessness as they struggle to put food on the table. They are demanding a 30 percent pay raise and an extra $2 per hour over the next several years.

“LAUSD is responding poorly,” said

Samantha Sparks, an art teacher at Hollywood High School. “They are not meeting us in the middle, the superintendent is radio silent.”

The unions previously rallied at Grand Park and in front of Los Angeles City Hall on Wednesday, March 15, where they announced the dates for this week’s strike.

“You can literally go work at a retail place and make $22 to $24 an hour … and they're paying us $16 to start,” said Conrado Guerrero, President of SEIU Local 99.

With UTLA and SEIU coming together to express their vexations over the 30 percent pay raise with Carvalho, they addressed the $4.9 billion that LAUSD has in reserves. Many teachers and educational workers expressed outrage with Carvalho offering up onetime bonuses with a nine present raise,

as well as the superintendent’s own pay raise of 28 percent.

“He got a 90,000 dollar raise for himself on his first day, but yet he's refusing to increase SEIU salary,” said teacher Rosalba Barajas.

With many voicing their concerns after being unable to work from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, UTLA Treasurer Alex Orozco said many workers feel overwhelmed and deserving of a raise.

“You know, I believe that according to the data that even if they were to win everything they're asking for, they still would be under the poverty federal lines,” said Orozco. “So we weren’t essential then and now we’re like, not essential as well.”

The pandemic has heavily impacted and overwhelmed many of the educational workers as they face low wages,

fewer benefits, in addition to the lack of employment during and after the pandemic.

“And so ever since the pandemic, the staffing issues have gotten so bad and our superintendent, ‘Mr. Armani,’ he's lying through his teeth about vacancies,” said Ankur Patel, substitute teacher at Olive Vista Middle School.

Patel said the workforce in LAUSD are overworked and underpaid as classroom conditions continue to diminish while class sizes increase, with seemingly no support coming from the district.

“Teacher working conditions are student learning conditions,” Patel said. “We're not getting the resources we need and LAUSD is sitting on billions of dollars and not acting in a way that's best for the youth.”

“Teacher working conditions are student learning conditions.”

— Ankur Patel

Michael Zavala | Culture Editor Sasha Funes | Editor-in-Chief

A protester holding a sign that has a list of demands at a joint rally held by United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) and Service Workers International Union (SEIU) Local 99 outside Los Angeles City Hall, Los Angeles, Calif., on Wednesday, The rally announced the dates of the strike after negotiations on a series of demands, including wages, stalled.

Karen Cusolito, English and Journalism teacher at Hollywood High School, holds a sign outside of Fairfax High School in support of SEIU strike in on Tuesday.

Caylo Seals | The Corsair Akemi Rico | The Corsair

Torrie Krantz-Klein | Staff Writer

38th Annual L.A. Marathon

The Los Angeles (L.A.) Marathon brings more than 20,000 people from all over the world through L.A.’s most iconic neighborhoods. Undaunted by the early morning chill and overcast skies, runners from across the world met at the starting line of the 2023 L.A. Marathon at Dodgers Stadium on Sunday, March 22.

Stacy Ndiwa of Kenya crossed the finish line first, with a personal best of 2 hours and 31 minutes. Ethiopia’s Jemal Yimer won the

overall elite division with a time of 2 hours,13 minutes and 13 seconds. Americans Thomas Rono from Coon Rapids, Minnesota, and Ashley Paulson of Mendon, Utah, placed fourth in the male and female categories, clocking in at 2:14:50 and 2:48:49, respectively.

Many different community organizations and running clubs showed up to the event on Sunday to support. Team CRUDA and Valley Runners Los Angeles were among those organizations who joined forces to support the

athletes at Mile in a row.

“We come always mission of ‘celebrate ners’. And I am motivated with distracts them ous event.” said member of Team The clubs set with food, water like cut bananas, and Biofreeze, muscle pain, all that last bit of vation racers need

Jorge Devotto | Staff Photographer

Stacy Ndiwa, 30, from Kenya passes through the finish line at the 38th Annual L.A. Marathon 2023. Ndiwa won postpartum on Sunday, March 19 in Los Angeles, Calif.

Ashley Poulson from Mendon, Utah runs on Santa Monica Blvd. heading West on mile 19 during the L.A. Marathon. Poulson placed in fourth, behind the three female Kenyan runners that got into top positions on Sunday.

James Madison of Windcrest, Texas places 19 overall in the Marathon Handcycle with a time of 2 hours and 30 minutes at the Los Angeles marathon.

Daniel De Anda | The Corsair

Jorge Devotto | The Corsair

Conor Heeley | Managing Editor Dylan Dayton | Copy Editor

won the female competition with a time of 2 hours, 31 minutes, 01 seconds, in her first competition

Marathon From a Corner

Mile 19 for the 6th year always with the ‘celebrate the runhoping people are with us and this just from this tortursaid Javier Garcia, a Team CRUDA.

set up canopies

water and supplies bananas, orange slices a topical spray for all to help supply energy and motineed to cross the

finish line.

“For this year’s race, the Valley Runners and Cruda clubs have around 15 runners participating, but some of them are first timers, that’s why we have to make it extra special for them,” said Aracely Rodriguez, from Valley Runners Los Angeles. “We’ve heard that we have the best cheering station.”

Daniel De Anda | The Corsair

Stacy Ndiwa falls down after passing through the finish line at the L.A. Marathon 2023. Ndiwa won the female competition with a time of 2 hours, 31 minutes, 01 seconds on Sunday.

At mile 19, the SocalPeakers club awaits for some members participating in the L.A. Marathon 2023. The world wide Peakers idea originated from Scotish actor Sam Heughan from the TV series "Outlander". Heughan run the L.A. Marathon in 2015 since then SocalPeakers club have been participating in the event.

Valley Runners Los Angeles members help participants with orange slices, red vines, water, and cheers on mile 19 of the Marathon on Sunday.

Sharada Maddox from Los Angeles running on Santa Monica Blvd. as a cyclist uses his phone to record her heading West on mile 19. Maddox placed in seventh position.

Daniel de Anda | The Corsair

Jorge Devotto | The Corsair

Jorge Devotto | The Corsair

Jorge Devotto | The Corsair

Outswimming the Competition

The Santa Monica College (SMC) Corsairs swimming and diving teams competed in a 10-school Western State Conference (WSC) swim meet on Saturday, March 18. The competition began at 11 a.m. and featured all kinds of events from relays to individual events. SMC placed first in seven of the 24 events and had at least one swimmer or diver in the top three in 13 of the events.

The day began with the 400-yard medley relay. The women were disqualified and the men placed second with a time of 3:52:55. The 200 individual freestyle event followed the medley. Sophomore swimmer Risa Akatsu placed first with a time of 2:00:10. No

one from SMC placed in the top three until the 50 free where freshman Emily Lester placed third with a time of 0:25:46. Sophomore Hiro Inoki placed first in the men’s 50 free with a time of 0:22:66.

In the women's 100 free event, SMC got the top three spots. Akatsu placed first with a time of 0:54:48. Freshman Reva Reigner followed with a time of 0:55:38 and Lester just came in third with a time of 0:55:48.

The 400 individual medley came after and freshman Emma Kilmauskas was the only person from SMC to place. She got first with a time of 4:52:75. Later during the meet Kilmauskas placed first again in the 200 butterfly with

a time of 2:11:88. Freshman Reva Reignier placed second for the women's 200 backstroke with a time of 2:14:87. Freshman Valerie Burchard was the only person to place in the middle distance event, the 500 free. She got second place with a time of 5:34:47.

Sophomore Wilma Henriksson was the only person to place in breaststroke for SMC. She got first place in the 200 breast with a time of 2:36:79. The final swim events were the 400 free relays. Both the men and women placed first for the event. The men got a time of 3:26:58 and the women got a time of 3:42:71.

For the one-meter diving event, freshman Wildan Levitt placed third

place with a score of 149.35. Levitt placed third again in the three-meter dive event with a score of 129.

The Corsairs’ next meet will be on Friday, March 31 at 11 a.m. at San Marcos High School in Santa Barbara.

Sasha Funes | Editor-in-Chief

Santa Monica College Corsair Reva Reignier swimming the Women's 200 Yard Backstroke during the second Western State Conference at Los Angeles Valley College, Los Angeles, Calif., on Saturday

Women's 400 Yard Freestyle Relay

Final Times:

1. SMC - 3:42.71 - Risa Akatsu, Reva Reignier, Ema Kilmauskas, Emily Lester

Men's 400 Yard Freestyle Relay

Final Times:

1. SMC - 3:26.58 - Hiro Inoki, Ocean Pogorel, Kristian Canchola-Miranda, Tristan Quiane

Photos by Caylo Seals

Corsair James Cavanagh swimming the Men's 200 Yard Breaststroke.

Corsair Risa Akatsu exiting the pool after swimming the Women's 100 Yard Freestyle.

Corsair Reva Reignier just before the buzzer goes off for the Women's 200 Yard Backstroke.

Corsair Leonardo Ortiz exiting the pool after swimming the Men's 100 Yard Freestyle

Corsair Ema Kilmauskas swimming the Women's 200 Yard Butterfly. Kilmauskas swam a final time of 2:11.38.

Two Hunchbacks for One Notre Dame

The SMC Theater department production of the musical "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" is set to open on March 31. This time, two actors will train and rehearse the main part of Quasimodo and alternate shows.

The Santa Monica College (SMC) Theater Arts department is getting ready to stage "The Hunchback of Notre Dame", a musical based on the Victor Hugo novel and featuring songs from the Disney animated feature, with Flamenco dances and alternating Hunchbacks in the show.

Theater instructor and director Perviz Sawoski explained that since COVID-19, all productions have worked more closely with understudies, performers that cover another one in case of sickness or unavailability.

Because the difficult tenor role can cause strain on an actor's voice, Sawoski decided to have two main actors play the Hunchback. Students Elliot Moore and Brayden Handwerger Bolívar have both been cast as Quasimodo.

Moore, a classical voice major, talked about the process of musical theater. "It has been really harmonious, giving great dynamics," he said. "I'm enjoying my time working here."

Moore said "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" is about ostracisation and the tragedy of it. "There is this wanting to understand each other. If you come and see this play, you will be completely entertained."

Bolívar, a full-time business student at SMC, has been doing theater for seven years, sometimes professionally.

"It is a beautiful story, very applicable to modern day, general human conditions of bigotry and disliking what you don't understand," Bolívar said. "This is a powerful story that needed to continue to be told."

The actor said that the role is vocally demanding, and also challenging to por-

tray a disabled man in a truthful way.

"I encourage people to be blunt, it is a scary world out there," Bolívar said. "It is good to sit in a chair for two hours and be reminded of what our existence can be like as humans, of the tragedy of it, of the potential joy and potential triumph that can come out of that."

Roma (Gitano as known in Spain) choreographer Cihtli Ocampo co-teaches the performers with Sawoski. Ocampo has been at SMC since 2014 in the Dance department.

"I've been doing Flamenco for over 20 years," she said. The bulk of her training has been mostly in southern Spain, Andalucía, where she performed with Gitano communities.

"This class uses Flamenco as a way for actors to move their body. To hold your upper body and project forward, to be able to understand your special awareness. How you keep your body center in a space while moving around." Ocampo said.

Ocampo describes Flamenco as a blend of Jewish, Moorish, and Southern Spanish culture synthesized and turned into art by the Roma people.

Tayla Sindel, a Physics and Astrophysics major, plays the part of Esmeralda, opposite Quasimodo. It is her first performance in this theater.

"So excited to have a full orchestra, the ensemble is great! It's been really nice, we had the luxury of a longer rehearsal process," Sindel said.

Referring to the musical, Sindel complements that it has all the classic songs of a Disney movie, but darker and more adult.

SMC's production of "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" will perform at the Theater Arts venue. The musical opens on March 31 at 7:30 p.m. at the Theater Arts main stage. You can find tickets at www.smc.edu/tickets.

SMC theater students performing at a class rehearsal for the musical “Hunchback of Notredame”. In the foreground, Instructor Perviz Sawoski (Left) and Roma/Gitano Choreographer Cihtli Ocampo (right). Theater Arts building at SMC main campus, Santa Monica, Calif. March Tuesday 7, 2023.

Jorge Devotto | The Corsair

Jorge Devotto | Staff Writer

SMC students performing in front of Instructors Perviz Sawoski (left) and Cihtli Ocampo (right) at a class rehearsal for the musical “Hunchback of Notredame”. Theater Arts building at SMC main campus, Santa Monica, Calif. March Tuesday 7, 2023.

Jorge Devotto | The Corsair