Vigil’s held across Southern California for Charlie kirk
People held numerous vigils for Charlie Kirk in the wake of his assassination to honor his legacy and societal impact.
Rachel Harding, a former Santa Monica College student, placed a reembrace poster for Charlie Kirk in the center of the Heart
Hand sculpture in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2025, during a vigil held for Charlie. (Jake Crandall | The Corsair)
The altar at Saint Monica Catholic Church, overseen by Monsignor Lloyd Torgerson, in Santa Monica, Calif. on September 9, 2025. Two days prior, 1.4 billion Catholics celebrated the canonization of Saint Carlo Acutis, the first Millennial saint. (Elizabeth Bacher | The Corsair)
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Vigil’s held across Southern California for Charlie kirk
People held numerous vigils for Charlie Kirk in the wake of his assassination to honor his legacy and societal impact.
Charlie Kirk was shot dead at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, during his “American Comeback Tour”, where he held debates to challenge people with differing ideologies in a public forum.
In the middle of a debate, Kirk attempted to answer a question regarding mass shootings before being shot in the neck by a .30-06 Mauser bolt-action rifle. “Counting or not counting gang violence,” was Kirk’s response and last words.
After Kirk was shot, panic ensued. Utah Valley University (UVU) students fled, a man was spotted celebrating, and attendees recorded an individual stealing Make America Great Again (MAGA) merchandise.
President Donald Trump later took to Truth Social to announce Kirk’s death.
According to Kirk’s widow, Erika, she plans to continue her late husband’s work at Turning Point USA, a nonprofit organization that advocates for conservative polices. “The movement my husband built will not die. It won’t, I refuse to let that happen,” she said. “No one will ever forget my husband’s name.”
In the wake of the shooting, mourners held memorials nationwide, attracting numerous grieving supporters. Benito Benal, a former organizer for the Democratic Party who left the platform to help Kirk with
Jake Crandall | Photo Editor
Stacey Feinberg, the United States Ambassador to Luxembourg and a close family friend of Charlie Kirk, speaks at a vigil held in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Sunday, Sept 14, 2025, after Charlie Kirk’s assassination. (Jake Crandall | The Corsair)
Turning Point USA in Los Angeles, held a vigil outside the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building on Sept. 11. Benal said,
“To me, Charlie Kirk was a hope for the younger generation,”
Dozens of teary-eyed supporters stood outside the federal building holding flowers, candles and signs. Some seemed mournful, and others found reinforcement in their beliefs through Kirk’s death. “There are people in this world who are evil and don’t want freedom of speech,” Benal said. “They want to silence the majority because we are the majority.”
On Saturday, the 805 Patriots, a pro-MAGA organization, held a service for Kirk as part of its 9/11 Patriots Weekend Remembrance Cruise. The cruise started at Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif., where the grass was adorned with 2,977 American flags representing the victims of the terrorist attack. They ended the cruise at Mrs. Olsen’s Restaurant in Oxnard.
Dozens of cars with Trump decals, American flags, and messages regarding Kirk cruised through the coast, being received by onlookers with support, admiration, or disdain. Some people cheered as the convoy passed, and others raised their middle fingers in opposition.
Despite a minor verbal altercation between an anti-Kirk protester and the crowd, people laughed and celebrated Kirk’s memory.
“The greatest honor we could do for Charlie is remembering him by his faith,”
said Mimi Israela, a fervent Trump supporter, who went viral for showing a police officer a novelty “white privilege card” during a traffic stop.
People came from across Southern California to participate in the long-distance cruise. According to Jerry Piani, an 805 organizer, Kirk could bring “people together with his words,” and his fans displayed it on Saturday.
On Sunday, the Beverly Hills Freedom Rally held a vigil at Beverly Garden Park in Beverly Hills. Participants gathered around the small vigil, sharing fond memories, moments of inspiration, and thoughts on Kirk’s legacy.
Students from the Turning Point UCLA chapter spoke about the loss of Kirk and his impact. Many students said Kirk served as a personal inspiration, influencing them to get involved in activism. They praised the debates held and how they created an open conversation.
Mourners gather at a vigil held outside the Federal building in downtown Los Angeles on Thursday, Sept 11, 2025, after Charlie Kirk’s assassination. (Jake Crandall | The Corsair)
The 805 Patriots, a pro-Maga group, drives their trucks down the Pacific Coast Highway from Malibu to Point Hueneme, Calif., on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, for a remembrance cruise dedicated to the victims of 9/11 and Charlie Kirk.(Jake Crandall | The Corsair)
Larry Thompson, a two-time republican candidate for the United States House of Representatives, speaks at a vigil held in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Sunday, Sept 14, 2025, after Charlie Kirk’s assassination.(Jake Crandall | The Corsair)
Maya, a speaker from the Turning Point UCLA chapter, reflected on her fears after Kirk’s murder and shared with the crowd,
“Where conversation ends, violence begins.”
Many of Kirk’s close friends attended Sunday’s vigil. Stacey Feinberg, the U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg and the Kirk family’s “Jewish grandma,” publicly expressed her grief.
“They might have killed the messenger, but they can’t kill the message,” Feinberg said, through moist eyes to the crowd.
“We know our mission. We know our marching orders. We will pick up the sword for him, and there will be thousands of Charlie Kirks.”
The vigil was mournful, but the violent nature of Kirk’s murder also created a sense of fear. “I’m hearing Republican leaders and different people saying that we all need to reconcile and get along. You can’t get along with evil,” said Ermias Alemayehu, a candidate running for City
Council in Lake Balboa. “These people want to hurt, they want to kill us.”
Some mourners conveyed fear, others exhibited anger. Gina Bisignano, a felon for crimes committed during the Jan. 6 US Capitol riot, said, “ This trans-furry tried to silence Charlie Kirk. His legend will live on eternally, here and in Heaven.” The government has not provided any proof that Robinson is transgender or a furry.
A wide array of emotions surged through the event. Rachel Harding, a former Santa Monica College student, reflected on the political climate after placing a remembrance poster in the center of the Heart Hand sculpture in Beverly Hills in honor of Charlie Kirk.
Harding reflected on her own life struggles with politics involving her own family, believing the democrat party radicalized her daughter, who cut off contact after attending college. Harding, reacting to the division in America, stated,
“If we can’t heal as a family, how are we going to heal as a country. I have two beautiful grandchildren I don’t get to see.”
She praised Kirk’s ability to connect with youth and saw his ability to
Jerry Piani, a member of the 805 Patriots, a pro-Maga group, poses with his Trump-themed truck at Point Hueneme, Calif., on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, during a remembrance cruise dedicated to the victims of 9/11 and Charlie Kirk.(Jake Crandall | The Corsair)
bring people together in discussion. She went on to speak that she has found community in the MAGA movement, stating, “These are my friends, these are my people, I found the community because what else can I do.”
After an open mic, Shiva Bagheri, founder of the Beverly Hills Freedom Rally, led a march through the streets of Beverly Hills with flags, pro-Trump memorabilia, and posters saying,
“We are all Charlie Kirk.”
After the march, the vigil remained in the park, covered in candles, tiny flags, and posterboards for attendees to write messages on.
Federal officials announced they apprehended the suspect, Tyler Robinson, on Sept. 12. Robinson, 22, is facing seven charges in relation to the murder of Kirk in Utah’s Fourth District Court. According to officials, Robinson texted his roommate and said he shot Kirk over rhetoric, arguing that “some hate can’t be negotiated out.”
Although Kirk is cherished in conservative circles, some of his views are considered polarizing by critics. He’s garnered national attention for comments perceived to be anti-Black and anti-LGBT, also for spreading the “great replacement theory,” a belief amongst right-wing activists that there’s a plot to diminish white people’s influence.
Kirk’s death has managed to unite conservatives, raise concerns over gun control, and sow division into the U.S political climate. Not much is officially known about the alleged shooter; Robinson isn’t speaking with authorities. What is known is that people will be watching the trial.
Shiva Bagheri, the organizer for the Beverly Hills Freedom Rally, speaks at a vigil held in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Sunday, Sept 14, 2025, after Charlie Kirk’s assassination. (Jake Crandall | The Corsair)
Mimi Israelah, a member of the 805 Patriots, a pro-Maga group, stands on top of her Trump-themed car at Point Hueneme, Calif., on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, during a remembrance cruise dedicated to the victims of 9/11 and Charlie Kirk.(Jake Crandall | The Corsair)
Gina Bisignano, an attendee of a vigil honoring the memory of Charlie Kirk and a participant at the Jan. 6 insurrection, speaks about the impact that Charlie Kirk had on the Conservative movement in general and on her worldview in particular at Beverly Gardens Park, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Nathan Hanson | The Corsair)
DHS Agents Shoot Anti-ICE Protesters and Press With Less-Lethal Weapons Over Labor Day Weekend
A protester had her eyes flushed across the street from the Metreopolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, during an anti-ICE protest after being pepper sprayed by Department of Homeland Security federal agents (Kayjel J. Mairena |
Homeland Security agents deployed less-lethal weapons at anti-ICE protesters at the Metropolitan Detention Center in the evening following a Labor Day sit-in at City Hall, resulting in eight arrests, one person requiring an ambulance, and multiple injured protesters and journalists.
“This is fascism on display,” said Joe Harmon, a teacher who Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents arrested at the protest.
“You have people, the most vulnerable people in our society, including a lot of my students, being affected by all the Trump nonsense. And these guys are here (National Guardsmen), willingly or not, defending it.”
According to Harmon, he was arrested for failing to comply with an order; an agent told him to move from a bollard on the sidewalk and he refused, remarking that it was a public sidewalk. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Special Response Unit responded by swarming Harmon, firing less-lethal rounds into the crowd as he fled.
A protester holds up an inverted American flag to DHS Agents and California National Guard troops outside the Metropolitan Detention Center on Labor Day(Jake Crandall | The Corsair)
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The sound of projectile launchers and federal agents yelling conflicting orders disoriented the space. Protesters ran as rubber bullets flew by and pelted people on the head.
Kea Lane, who claims ICE is “kidnapping and disappearing” her community members, said this occurrence is common. Lane is an activist who routinely attends the 24-hour protest at the detention center.
“They target specific protesters they deem to be threats, regardless of what they’ve done. They make untruthful claims and charges against people,” Lane said.
Since June, DHS — with National Guardsmen on standby — has skirmished almost nightly with protesters outside the detention center, a migrant-holding facility, in response to mass deportation efforts in Los Angeles County.
In response, some protesters started Occupy ICE LA, a 24-hour protest collective set up
across the street from the detention center, which documents and accosts DHS agents throughout the day.
Protesters haven’t left the encampment in weeks despite almost nightly skirmishes with DHS and multiple removals by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).
According to LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, the LAPD doesn’t assist with immigration enforcement and hasn’t since 1979. In a June press statement, McDonnell reiterated the policy to “make it clear.”
Since then, the LAPD has regularly dispersed anti-ICE protests, including at ICE immigration raids. DHS started mass deportations sweeps in Los Angeles County by arresting 44 migrants on June 6; this was followed by additional raids targeting farm workers, day laborers and street vendors. ICE is also appearing at schools, churches, and mandated immigration check-ins at federal facilities.
Occupy ICE LA held a sit-in at City Hall at 4 p.m. before marching through downtown. Activists delivered speeches on the lawn regarding ICE, the Palestinian genocide in Gaza by Israel, as per the International Association of Genocide Scholars, and the struggle of Indigenous people.
According to Trisden Shaw, a professor of ethnic studies at Santa Monica College, these topics are interlinked through colonialism. Shaw said the U.S. dominates the world through colonization, which is why the country is militarily involved in different places.
On the South Lawn, an activist who has been involved in the Abolish ICE movement since 2018 said during a speech, “I have never seen the amount of aggression that I’ve seen at these protests.” He called them “mercenaries” and demanded ICE to “get the fuck out of L.A.,” before telling the crowd they should be concerned.
DHS agents post a line of California National Gaurdsmen at the gate outside of the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, during an anti-ICE protest (Kayjel J. Mairena | The Corsair)
“Even if you’re not directly affected by it, it is your problem. It’s your issue because this is more than just an immigration issue; this is a human rights issue,” he said. “People’s human rights are being violated left and right.” This protester was later arrested.
After the speeches, protesters spilled onto west First Street in front of the LAPD Headquarters. Protesters displayed their signs, waved flags and danced alongside the road.
People on motorcycles dashed around the street, performing burnouts and wheelies to a crowd of cheering protesters. Incoming traffic honked and drivers raised fists in solidarity as they drove by. Protesters chanted and marched towards the detention center around 7 p.m.
A few people banged, kicked, and rattled the newly installed black, metal, anti-climb fence at
the detention center, but most just shouted from the street. One protester shot a firework, while another kicked the gate until it opened. People cheered and mocked as DHS approached, but most maintained their distance, and no one stepped onto federal property.
According to Shaw, “a peaceful protest can be deemed violent very quickly. Repressive and violent actions from police could spiral out of control quickly. Organizers have to ensure that people aren’t reacting, but human beings are human beings. One action is enough to deem it a violent protest; when that label comes, it opens the floodgates for tear gas, rubber bullets.”
A man holding a Mexican American flag helped close the gate. Then, a DHS agent fired a pepper ball, a hard plastic sphere filled with a chemical irritant that bursts on impact, into the fence, covering protesters in irritant.
Protesters fled, seeking cover, but they returned to the gate, yelling “peaceful protest.”
After a DHS agent fired a pepper ball, two protesters jumped on the fence, catching agents’ attention, and raised their middle fingers in opposition before spray-painting “Fuck ICE” under fire. Protesters threw water bottles from the crowd as pepper bullets exploded off the fence, with some pepper balls making it through and hitting non-protester cars idling in traffic.
DHS and ICE’s Special Response Team then moved onto the sidewalk to commence dispersal tactics on the other side of the
fence. Most protesters retreated and journalists wearing “PRESS” markings moved forward, waiting for action. Before coming out, one federal agent stuck his arm out of the gate and pepper-sprayed the vicinity, including identifiable journalists.
Protesters threw stink bombs at the agents’ feet as they exploded out of the gate, ambushing people and shooting less-lethal rounds into the crowd.
“They were shooting at innocent protesters, innocent civilians, who came up to document them violently detaining and snatching people off the street,” Lane said. “This should be far past the point of alarming.”
department of Homeland Security Federal Agent fired pepper-spray at the crowd in front of the Metropollian Detention Center in Los Angeles, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, during an anti-ICE protest, stiking multiple journalist (Kayjel J. Mairena | The Corsair)
ICE Los Angeles Feild Office Special Response Team agents arrest Joe Harmon, a charter school teacher in the Valley while a DHS agent armed with a pepper ball launcher and an ICE agent armed with a canister of of pepper spray push back thw crowd during a protest organized by the activist group, ICE out of LA outside the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles Calif., on Labor Day, Monday Sept. 1, 2025, during a protest organizec by the activist group (Jake Crandall | The Corsair)
Protesters managed to lift a fence panel off its hinges and lay it on the floor during a skirmish. A person with a megaphone then jumped on top of the panel and said, “Look at this shit, they couldn’t even get a better fucking fence.”
DHS and protesters skirmished for hours. Agents would explode out of the gate and swarm the crowd, tackling people and creating mass panic before retreating. Women with megaphones walked up to the DHS skirmish line and called agents “cowards,” “slave catchers,” and “human traffickers.”
LAPD arrived before 10 p.m. and declared an unlawful assembly. Officers set a perimeter on the intersection of North Alameda and East Aliso Street, then formed a rolling police line, carrying plastic handcuffs and 40-millimeter sponge round launchers. They pushed protesters towards East Temple Street, away from the detention center, shouting “move,” as they stepped in unison.
Protesters yelled, “You’re not supposed to be helping them,” “The bad guys are behind you,” and “Why don’t you care about them shooting us?”
LAPD officers shouted at protesters and threatened to arrest journalists for not complying with the dispersal order, despite a still-standing temporary restraining order (TRO) granting increased protections to journalists.
According to federal U.S. District Judge Hernan Vera’s order, “the likelihood of repeated confrontations” coupled with the LAPD’s “sustained pattern of conduct,” merited the TRO. LAPD can’t restrict journalists’ movement, shoot them with less-lethal weapons or obstruct, assault or arrest journalists during protests. William Gude, known online as Film the Police LA, recorded an LAPD sergeant disregarding the TRO. Gude later identified the sergeant as Jose L. Vazquez from the Hollenbeck Division after he refused to identify himself and didn’t have it displayed on his helmet.
Gude reminded Vazquez of the court exemptions for journalists. Vazquez said, “It doesn’t matter right now,” and threatened to arrest Gude.
The confrontation caught the attention of an LAPD captain, who corrected Vazquez after he refused to let Gude talk to a superior officer.
“You’re absolutely right,” the captain said to Gude. Vazquez protested before waving off the captain and walking away.
Most protesters left around 10 p.m., but some people stayed across the street. Both parties stood still, facing off on different street corners. And in quick, random bursts, a dozen officers sprinted across the corner and arrested people.
In one instance, police chased a man who evaded them. While returning, an officer found an older woman huddled in a dark alleyway. Officers swarmed and arrested her. They later arrested another protester who smiled and laughed as LAPD officers escorted him away.
According to the LAPD’s Central Division X account, the LAPD arrested eight people for “various offenses,” and no one was injured during the unlawful assembly. LAPD and the officials at the detention center declined the Corsair’s request for comment.
The freedom of protest is the right to assembly and petition. These are guaranteed protections under the First Amendment in the United States, but it “Doesn’t always play out that way,” according to Shaw. Sometimes protesters don’t get what they want.
On Sept. 8, the Supreme Court issued a pause on the lower courts’ TRO, allowing for roving immigration stops based solely on race, career, location or language.
Goooooal for Corsair: Men
And Woman Take One For The Team
SMC men’s soccer ended their match 4-4 with Fullerton College in the first home game of the season.
Staff Writer || Neal Hebrard-DeFrance
Santa Monica (SMC) Corsair winger (23) Denver EwingJohonson moving past Fullerton College
Jacob Leggette on Tueday, September 9, 2025 in Santa Monica , Calif. The Corsairs tide ith the Hornets 4-4 (Tom Rosholt l The Corsair)
Hornet (10)
In their first home game of the fall season, Santa Monica College’s (SMC) men’s soccer team stumbles again at the finish line with a 4th straight tie in their afternoon game against Fullerton College.
On Tuesday, Sept. 9, the Corsairs took on the Fullerton Hornets in an afternoon home opener. They were looking for their first win since starting 2-0 on Aug. 22, suffering three straight ties to leave them at 2-0-3 heading into the game. Against a Fullerton team that entered the game 1-2-1, it was as good a chance as any for the Corsairs to return to the win column.
From the first minute, Fullerton came out with an intensity that seemingly surprised the Corsairs, leading to an early goal by forward Josiah Palacios. Their intense, aggressive style of play caused issues for SMC coaches and players. The outrage seemed to stem from early contact against SMC captain Omar Nieto, a key contributor to their success.
Despite being met with an ultra-aggressive gameplan, the Corsairs did not allow that to stop them. They snagged a goal at the 10 minute mark with credit to freshman forward Miguel Cano, who was assisted by Gabe Mejia and Bladimir Coto to make the score (1-1). The hard-fought goal allowed the Corsairs to end the momentum and fierce defense of Fullerton’s team early on.
The game continued with hand checks, trips, and even blatant pushes until another Fullerton goal at the 25 minute mark by defender Jack Overton, assisted by Dylan Aguayo leaving the score at (1-2).
It was apparent that the Corsair’s did not intend to go into halftime on uneven ground. With energy channeled from their opponent’s intenseness and a gameplan from head coach Tim Pierce, they surged. With their renewed determination, Leo Blanchet scored a clutch header seconds before half-time was called alongside fellow freshman Henry Carrera who assisted the goal.
As they entered the second half tied, the Corsairs intended to outplay their opponent before they could take the first goal. They scored a goal within the first 10 minutes of the second half off a free kick from Jefferson Parada, now leading by (3-2). At this point in the game it seemed like SMC had hit their stride, thoroughly controlling the pace and intensity after matching how Fullerton had been playing at the start.
In minute 60 lightning strikes twice, this time in the form of Miguel Cano assisting Bladimir Coto for the score(4-2).
Santa Monica College (SMC) Corsair midfielder (7) Lyric Gomez-Muniz moving the ball passed Fullerton College Hornet (26) Michael Espinoza. (Tom Rosholt | The Corsair)
College Hornets middle
Santa Monica College (SMC) Corsairs middle Henry Carrera (#19) attempting a shot against the Fullerton College Hornets, with their middle Ryan Manabe (#15) defending Carrera. (Jordi Garcia Sosa | The Corsair)
With around 35 minutes left in the game and SMC in full control it seemed like they were poised to bring home a victory in the home opener, but while time was on their side it seemed like their emotions were on a different track. Yellow cards started to pile up on the Corsair side in a seemingly short amount of time. Two yellows for midfielder Zach Shayne followed by a yellow for head coach Tim Pierce as well. The coach was furious on the sideline due to an alleged improper throw in by a Fullerton player that the referee let play out. In minute 89, Fullerton struck a header by Josiahs Palacios off a corner kick.
The score became 4-3 before heading into a three minute period of extra time. With one minute left in extra time, Fullerton stepped up for another corner kick, and with an accurate delivery to a crowded box, Josiahs Palacios did the impossible. Another header, another goal, and Palacios managed to tie the game at 4-4. With under a minute left, SMC didn’t have enough time to take the lead back, ending the game in a 4-4 tie.
Fullerton
Cisco Torres (#13) dismissing the Referee after receiving a yellow card due to tripping Santa Monica College (SMC) Corsairs middle Leo Blanchet (#20) at SMC Corsair Stadium, Santa Monica, Calif.(Jordi Garcia Sosa | The Corsair)
Women’s Soccer With a Dominant Defensive showing in Home Opener at Corsair Stadium
SMC women’s soccer shutout the LA Pierce Brahma Bulls 1-0 to secure a win in their first game in front of the home crowd.
Staff Writer || Neal Hebrard-DeFrance
The Santa Monica College Corsairs Women’s soccer team continued their defensive dominance to beat LA Pierce 1-0 for their first home win and 3 game win streak of the season.
Coming off of two straight wins where they didn’t allow a single goal, Santa Monica College’s (SMC) women’s soccer team entered the game with confidence in their offensive and defensive skills. This confidence
was undoubtedly tested by the LA Pierce Brahma Bulls, who came into the game with a 2-1-1 record having also won their last 2 games. The Corsairs ultimately had the upper hand with fantastic defensive pressure and a lively home crowd to back the intensity.
Both teams’ goalies were their biggest strengths throughout the match. For SMC, it was sophomore goalie Jacinda Hevesy-Ro-
driguez, a key player for the Corsairs in recent games. For the Brahma Bulls it was Adriana Villacana, who anchored her team’s defense as well. The first shot on goal came in minute 23 when LA Pierce managed to slip through the Corsair defense. This seemed to spur the Corsairs into instant offense, trading their own shot on goal around the 26th minute.
Despite their efforts, both
teams entered halftime scoreless. An opportunity emerged in the second half when an attack led by SMC forwards Erika Bautista and Giah Holman was taken too wide and defended, thus maintaining the tie. It seemed like a defensive stalemate through and through, until a foul just outside the box gave SMC a chance at a free kick, a chance they did not take for granted. For Lyric Gomez-Muniz, all it took was a line
up, shot, and goal in the top left of the net to give The Corsairs the 1-0 lead. A few minutes later LA Pierce got their own chance at a free kick, but the shot was missed and the score remained the same.
Towards the end of regulation time, the Brahma Bulls had their own string of chances on offense, but SMC goalie Jacinda Hevesy-Rodriguez was able to maintain pressure
Santa Monica College Corsairs defender Ariana Maldonado (#21) fields the ball from Pierce College Brahmas midfielder Emily Diaz (#14). (Juliana Frame | Corsair)
on the attacking player and force the ball out of play. In the 85th minute, a header in front of the goal by LA Pierce barely missed, maintaining the current score. With that late defense, SMC was able to hold on to a narrow 1-0 victory in their women’s home opener.
The Corsair women’s next game will be at Chaffey College on Friday, Sept. 12 at 1pm.
Santa Monica College (SMC) Corsair defender (9) Marlene Garcia being checked by LA Pierce College Brahma (9) Bianca Lemus. (Tom Rosholt | The Corsair)
Santa Monica College Corsairs women’s soccer goalkeeper Jacinda Hevesy-Rodriguez (#1) returns the ball to her teammates. (Juliana Frame | Corsair)
A Saint for a Modern Generation
SMC students, and local church leadership celebrate the canonization of Saint Carlo Acutis
Following a child’s baptism, confirmation is a young person’s opportunity to choose for themselves whether or not to dedicate their life to the Catholic faith.
1.4 billion Catholics around the world celebrated Sept.7 as Blessed Carlo Acutis, a millennial, was canonized to sainthood by Pope Leo XIV. The mass took place at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican and was attended by thousands of people, including the Acutis family, making this a unique occasion.
Not only is St. Carlo Acutis the first millennial saint, it’s rare for a saint’s family members to still be alive when they are canonized. St. Carlo’s parents are the first to attend their child’s canonization since St. Maria Goretti in 1950.
Michele Acutis, younger brother to St. Carlo, took part in the mass by reading one of the chosen passages from the bible. Michele Acutis was born along with his twin sister Francesca, four years after St. Carlo’s passing.
Deyna Michelle is a sophomore at Santa Monica College (SMC), studying psychology and child development. She grew up in the Catholic church, attending Bishop Conaty Our Lady of Loretto all girls school in west Los Angeles.
Attending mass Sunday morning, she described the atmosphere saying, “Everyone seemed to be much more joyous than usual.”
She also noticed her mothers excitement throughout the day. “She lit up candles around the house, and on her altar as well, to celebrate. Overall we were very happy and respectful about his canonization.” Michelle said.
With many of those in the younger generations not feeling a connection to the thousands year old traditions of the church, Michelle said, “This gives room for those who want to become young priests, maybe altar servers, or whatever you want to be within the church community, the room to grow and learn.”
Monsignor Lloyd Torgerson oversees Saint Monica Catholic Church (SMCC), in Santa Monica, California. He believes Pope Francis played a large part in giving the church a new image for a modern world.
“He (Pope Francis) told pastors, go out to the periphery. Don't just sit there and wait for people to come to you. Go out to the people who are separated, and disconnected, and tell them about the love of God. He said, every parish should be like a hospital in a battlefield. When people come, don't ask questions, just take care of them.” said Msgr. Torgerson.
SMCC has already seen their youth program attendance double since Pope Francis’s leadership over the church. Leaders within the faith community are hoping that the canonization of the young saint, which was championed by the late Pope Francis, will further help bring millennials and Generation Z back into pews and back to their faith.
“Young people need other young people as models for their life. You don't look for people three times your age to give you an example of how to live your life, you look for people your own age. Your friends, the people around you, your classmates, those are the people with the most influence, so I think Pope Francis felt it would
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Saint Monica Catholic Church, overseen by Monsignor Lloyd Torgerson, in Santa Monica, Calif. on September 9, 2025. Two days prior, 1.4 billion Catholics celebrated the canonization of Saint Carlo Acutis, the first Millennial saint. (Elizabeth Bacher | The Corsair)
be good to have a young person as a model for other young people.” said Msgr. Torgerson.
St. Carlo was born in London on May 3, 1991 and began evangelizing the Catholic faith online as a teenager through his website called Miracoli Eucaristici (Miracles of the Eucharist). The site’s aim was to collect and preserve information about miracles around the world, giving everyone access at the click of a mouse.
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intercession as a spiritual guide.
Catholic social media influencers also took the opportunity to clarify a common misconception that Catholics pray to saints. One influencer that goes by @talkwithkrystal said, “An intercessory prayer is just like asking a friend to pray for you. We ask the saints to pray for us to Jesus Christ because all miracles come from Jesus.”
studying psychology to become a middle school counselor, grew up attending Catholic mass at Good Shepherd church in Beverly Hills. She volunteers with the parish’s young adult group as well as at the Jewish Family Service LA, SOVA Valley food pantry.
Recently, Maxwell was inspired to start an SMC club called, ‘The Religion Club’, which aims to bring students of all different religions together
Even though his death from Leukemia occurred in 2006, before the rise of social media, he became known as ‘Gods Influencer’ and ‘The Social Saint’ for his tech savvy evangelization.
The excitement of St. Carlo’s canonization has influenced a new trend on social media. Young Tik Tok users connected to Catholic youth groups and organizations taking turns sharing the patron saints they chose during their confirmation process.
Catholic confirmation happens between the ages of 7-16, depending on the Diocese. Following a child's baptism, confirmation is a young person's opportunity to choose for themselves whether or not to dedicate their life to the Catholic faith. Additionally, it has become a tradition since the reformation for each candidate to choose a saint they believe emulates their personal virtues and seek their
To be canonized, a saint must be connected to two miracles that are investigated and confirmed by the Vatican.
The first miracle was the healing of a young Brazilian boy named Matheus Vianna in 2013 who was cured of a rare pancreatic disorder. His mother had prayed with a relic of St. Acutis that had visited a parish in their hometown. This miracle allowed for his beatification to Blessed Carlo Acutis.
The second miracle allowing for canonization occurred in 2022. Valeria Valverde, a young woman studying in Florence, Italy, was given little chance of survival by doctors after sustaining a severe head injury in a bicycle accident. Her mother Liliana visited St. Carlo’s tomb, praying for Valverde’s recovery and upon returning her daughter underwent a recovery that doctors could not explain.
Valerie Maxwell, a student at SMC who is
for prayer, and different outdoor activities.
“St. Carlo is really inspiring. It’s beautiful how he was able to listen to himself and listen to God, and use his talents to spread the word of God. There’s such a divide between religions, this really makes me want to help bring people together,” she said.
St. Carlo is buried in the Shrine of Renunciation at the Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi, Italy. The young saint requested to be buried in this location because much like St. Francis, he shared a love for serving the poor, and of animals. His family would attend mass at this basilica on special occasions through his childhood. At rest in a glass tomb, wearing jeans and sneakers as he did in his daily life, visitors can visit the saint to pray and reflect.
Saint Monica Catholic Church, overseen by Monsignor Lloyd Torgerson, in Santa Monica, Calif., on September 9, 2025. Two days prior, 1.4 billion Catholics celebrated the canonization of Saint Carlo Acutis, the first Millennial saint. (Elizabeth Bacher | The Corsair)
The SMC short film inspired by a 2013 missing person cold case with an SMC connection, explores trauma, survival, and the realities of living undocumented in America.
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Three Santa Monica College (SMC) short films were screened during the 29th annual Los Angeles Shorts International Film Festival between July 16-28 at Regal Cinemas in downtown Los Angeles. The films titled No Return, Fear and Treble, and Ends and Means were selected for the “Live Action” category as part of the 350 film lineup.
“Ends and Means,” directed by SMC alum, Karly Kato Bang follows the journey of Milagros (Maria Montenegro), a Mexican immigrant and Santa Monica housekeeper. While working for high power film producer Frank (Bobby Appelbaum), a well to do investor wanting to get into film is invited to dinner. Loyalties between Milagros and Frank are tested as this guest has suspicious ties to demons from Milagros’ past in Mexico.
As production begins on the films at SMC, students are offered the opportunity to apply for production positions. The youngest in the class, and struggling with imposter syndrome, Bang initially had no intention of applying to direct.
“The thought of directing was terrifying,” she said.
The encouragement from her friends and family pushed her to take the leap and apply for the position. Growing up in Santa Monica and being of half Japanese and half Korean descent, Bang found a connection to the script and main character through her own mother.
“The main character has a daughter who is her entire world. I have a really close relationship with my mom. She is my hero. I saw myself in the story because my mom would do anything for me, much like Milagros,” she said.
When she was chosen to be the director, Bang said, “Everyone started telling me they were excited to see my vision come to life. I had no idea what my vision even was. I had no idea what I was even doing.”
Throughout the film, Bang found herself not only growing professionally but personally.
“Outside of the technical aspects like creating shotlists and floor plans, the whole process taught me a lot about leadership. I learned
Illustration by Jenna Tibby
that my voice is my vision. My lived experience is the value I bring to the story,” Bang said.
She credits her mentors in the SMC film program for helping guide her through the many stages of the production process such as collecting signatures for permits, filming, and post production editing.
As an NYU film graduate and award winning director, Professor Salvador Carrasco brings his own expertise to filmmaking at SMC.
“A lot of what I’m doing at the SMC Film Program is what I wish had been done with me when I was a filmmaking student, or what I wish I had been able to do when I taught at other institutions,” Carrasco said.
SMC offers a state of the art hands on approach to filmmaking that rivals most high profile, private film academies giving everyone access to the artform. In 2023 a Bachelor of Science in Film Production at Los Angeles Film School was projected to cost a student upwards of $80,000.
“Filmmaking needs to be taught in situ, not on a whiteboard. And if you’re more interested in ‘doing your thing’ than in being taught, you’re probably in the wrong place. The ideal model is a combination of both: Allow yourself to be taught in school, and then later go apply it on your own in a new, different context, discerning what works for you and what doesn’t,” said Carrasco.
While guiding Bang through the process, he says she thrived despite the natural fear that comes with stepping into any new role in life.
“Karly understood from the get-go that ‘Ends and Means’ is an exploration of claustrophobia, fear, and trauma through the universal prism of the human condition, so she engaged in copious research to convincingly portray the specificity of Mexican American culture,” Carrasco said.
The professor also credits screenwriter and SMC alum, Alci Rengifo, for creating a storyline that highlights the realities of survivors of Latin American guerrilla warfare. Much like Bang, Rengifo says he drew from the experiences of his own mother and others with similar backgrounds.
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“I grew up in a home of immigrant parents who carried plenty of historical baggage. My mother in particular moved to the U.S. in the late ‘70s when the Salvadoran Civil War, one of the last bloody conflicts of the Cold War, was about to erupt,” Rengifo said.
A former Corsair editor, Rengifo found himself returning to a story he had written in 2014 about a fellow student whose brother was missing. The story chronicled the abduction of Javier Cisneros by a Mexican drug cartel, and his sister Nansi’s quest to find him.
Nansi and Javier had grown up in Los Angeles, but after a fight with an undercover police officer, Javier was deported to Tala, Mexico.
“A single mother is a perfect storytelling vehicle for exploring the human idea of defying a state when its own laws are inhuman,” said Alci Rengifo.
In October of 2013 a group of men pulled up to the house where the young man lived and kidnapped him at gunpoint.
The article describes the moment of Javier’s abduction saying,
“His mother, who lives six houses down, came out when she heard shots fired. She watched as the men dragged her son away from the house and into the car.”
“Mom, me van a matar,” he screamed, which means “Mom, they are going to kill me.”
Following the kidnapping, Javier’s mother frantically chased after the truck on foot. With no support from Mexican authorities, nearly 12 years later, Javier is still missing.
A mothers love and devotion to her child is woven throughout the character makeup of Milagros.
“A single mother is a perfect storytelling ve-
hicle for exploring the human idea of defying a state when its own laws are inhuman. Fine, she’s undocumented, but does that take away her right to care for her daughter? Is there anything immoral in that?” Rengifo said.
Like many who witness violence and escape, Milagros is faced with the guilt of survival.
“L.A. is full of Salvadorans, Guatemalans, Nicaraguans, etc. who were involved from the left and right in the guerrilla movements and death squads of the era, now probably delivering Uber eats or running businesses,” says Rengifo.
Actress Maria Montenegro played the role of Milagros; A mother herself, she looked to the lessons from her own children to prepare for the role.
“My children taught me the meaning of unconditional love, compassion, patience, and unbelievable inner strength. This is what I wanted to bring to Milagros,” Montenegro said.
The film’s cinematic debut during a summer of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests and protests in Southern California offers a glimpse into the fears of those whose lives are impacted.
“I feel like characters like Milagros help us connect emotionally to each other and can bring understanding without judgement,” Montenegro said.
While her list of films and TV appearances grows, Montenegro said, “I am extremely proud to have worked with every single person who took part in this film. It was and continues to be one of my greatest experiences as an actress.”
Ends and Means will continue to play at different film festivals across the country in the next year. It was announced in late August the film will be screened during the annual Seattle Film Festival.
2025 LA Mode
Roll out the
Mocha Carpet
“This is also my way of paying homage to the bonds I have with all the women in my life,” said student-designer Krissia Guerrero.
Model wearing outfit designed by Quincy Kassar at the LA Mode 2025 Fashion Show at Santa Monica College (SMC) on Saturday, June 21, 2025, Santa Monica,Calif. (Tom Rosholt | The Corsair)
Model posing at the LA Mode 2025 Fashion Show at Santa Monica College (SMC) on Saturday, June 21, 2025, Santa Monica,Calif. (Tom Rosholt | The Corsair)
Model walking down the runway at the LA Mode 2025 Fashion on Saturday, June 21, 2025, Santa Monica,Calif. (Tom Rosholt | The Corsair)
Fashion Show Offers Style, Substance and Sustainability
For months, student designers at Santa Monica College (SMC) had worked diligently to complete their end of semester collections. On June 20 their hard work came to fruition at SMC’s annual LA Mode fashion show, led by SMC’s fashion professors and directors La Tanya Louis and Lorrie Ivas. The show was held in the courtyard of SMC’s main campus, with enough space for a full runway, vendors, and attendees.
25 student designers were featured in the show, the biggest production SMC has put on to date. Judges pre-evaluated the collections and rewarded students based on criteria like sustainability, marketability and creativity.
The event itself allowed families, friends and alumni to pose on their ‘Mocha Carpet’ for pictures before exploring the various vendors present. The carpet was a nod to Pantone Color of the Year 2025, ‘Mocha Mousse’.
LA Mode’s runway was a collaborative event as professors and students from other departments worked alongside the student designers. Under the direction of Communication and Media Studies Department Chair Redelia Shaw, Professor Gail Fetzer, and Broadcast Tech Manager Thoren Jorgensen, communication and media students helped each designer curate an interview-style video explaining their respective collection.
Each video allowed attendees to get a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes work that went into the designs, and what inspired the collections. Many students gave credit to their cultural upbringings, personal relationships, or gained inspiration from luxury designers such as Alexander McQueen.
“This is also my way of paying homage to the bonds I have with all the women in my life, As a woman, it scares me seeing some of our rights being taken away and being decided by men, so I hope this collection helps empower girls, women, and female-presenting people of all ages.” said student-designer Krissia Guerrero.
Style, substance and sustainability were the overarching themes present throughout the show, encouraging students to be conscious about the materials that they use. The sustainability aspect stands out as the focus of this show, with designers utilizing resources such as upcycling and thrifting.
“I will be using upcycled materials, scrap fabric and donated textiles,” said student-designer Lauren Asbury. Ashbury’s collection expressed childlike wonder and imagination using a soft color palette and various feminine silhouettes. Her collection “Big Fairy Energy”, won the award for Most Sustainable Collection.
The SMC LA Mode show gave students the opportunity to showcase their work in a professional setting, while still maintaining a lighthearted atmosphere with personalized music with the addition of dynamic and colorful makeup looks.
Model walking down the runway at the LA Mode 2025 Fashion Show at Santa Monica College (SMC) on Saturday, June 21, 2025, Santa Monica,Calif. (Tom Rosholt | The Corsair)
Model posing at the LA Mode 2025 Fashion Show at Santa Monica College (SMC) on Saturday, June 21, 2025, Santa Monica,Calif. (Tom Rosholt | The Corsair)
