Editor
Adriana
Managing
Corsair Editors
News
COVER: Global Motion World Dance Company rehearses “Tribute to Nzingha Camara,” a West African Djembe dance choreographed by Angela Jordan, for their upcoming performances this weekend at BroadStage on May 14th, 2025 in Santa Monica, Calif. Global Motion consists of Santa Monica College students, faculty and guest performers, celebrating traditional and contemporary dance styles from around the world. Their spring program on May 17th and 18th features Latin America, Asia, Africa, Europe and the United States. (Elizabeth Bacher | The Corsair)
INSIDE COVER: Singer Esteban Riva as Figaro, with Maya Derbise as Cherubino in the wings, rehearses The Marriage of Figaro (Le Nozze di Figaro) (Elizabeth Bacher | The Corsair)
Staff Social Media
As one chapter ends,
Timereally does fly. I can’t believe that I am here writing my last letter from the editor and this is our final print edition. Although our time together as a staff has come to a close, I can’t help but reflect on all that we have accomplished over these past four months.
Looking back at when I first joined the Corsair, if someone had told me I would be serving as Editor in Chief, I definitely would have said they’re crazy. I never could have imagined receiving this opportunity, but I feel that I have grown as a writer and a leader.
I would be lying if I said this isn’t a bittersweet ending. I feel deeply connected to the Corsair, especially after working tirelessly for these last six months with my managing editor Jenna, photo editor Jake, plus our editing, writing and photography staff. It will honestly be hard for me to leave, but that’s not to say I will be gone forever — I know I am always welcome to come back and contribute.
After many 13-hour-plus days in the newsroom, reading and editing over 100 articles, and showing up to class each day, we’ve reached the end of the spring semester. While I am exhausted, I can’t help but think, “We did it!”
But here we are and we are incredibly blessed to be able to look back at such a successful semester for the Corsair! Our newspaper has triumphed, from winning over 50 awards at the Associated Collegiate Press conference back in March, to receiving campuswide recognition. Most recently, as our photo advisor Gerard Burkhart would say, “We beat Stanford.” There are countless accomplishments to be proud of, and I am forever grateful that I could experience each one.
another begins.
However, each ending brings forth a new beginning. I am happy to say that I will be transferring to the University of Southern California in the fall, pursuing studies in Journalism and Sports Media. I will also be graduating from Santa Monica College with two associates degrees, alongside some of my fellow staff members. The Corsair’s class of 2025 is truly on to amazing things!
As for next year, the Corsair will be left in great care by our incoming Editor in Chief, Katie Easterson, and managing editor Mollie Bishop. I have full confidence in both of them that they will lead the Corsair with dedication, purpose and integrity, while continuing to uplift the community’s voices and cultivate talent in the newsroom. Let’s also keep the awards coming in!
The Corsair has a bright future ahead, and I know it will continue to reach new communities and prove its excellence time and time again. But for now, I hope that everyone enjoys their summer vacations and continues to support the Corsair when they return in the fall.
And for the last time:
Sincerely,
Adriana Brady | Editor in Chief
Photo by Gerard Burkhart
Photo by Gerard Burkhart
‘I know these people’:
A
combat veteran’s new mission
A combat veteran uses his GI Bill to start a Black Panther Party-inspired mutual aid organization.
Kayjel J. Mairena | Staff Writer
Santa Monica College (SMC) student Justin Ellis-Brooks organized and funded an event to provide free food and haircuts, and to distribute wellness kits containing hygiene products, makeup, fentanyl test strips, and Narcan to the community on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at MacArthur Park.(Fai Fong | The Corsair)
Small groups huddle in the corner of MacArthur Park in Los Angeles. Many are covered in scabs, alarmingly thin and their skin yellowed like the few teeth they have left. The air reeks of cannabis and used needles dot the gum-stained concrete.
Most carry tattered backpacks, others lug all their possessions in plastic bags. A few have nothing but the torn and stained clothes on their back. As people pass by, they avert their eyes and ignore their calls — they don’t have time or a dollar to spare.
Justin Michael Ellis-Brooks, a Santa Monica College (SMC) student, couldn’t ignore the social inequities within marginalized communities, so he created a grassroots organization focused on community mutual aid.
“To me, my story seems special and unique, and it is, but in the same sense, I realize my story is probably one of how many,” Ellis-Brooks said. “That’s the institutional part, because it’s affected so many people.”
“I know it’s not just my mother who dealt with it, and who was probably homeless as a result. Those who dealt with the same thing are the people we’re seeing in MacArthur Park, Skid Row and throughout the city. It stems from the same system, the same systemic violence,” Ellis-Brooks said.
Ellis-Brooks comes from humble beginnings; the youngest of eight siblings, born and raised in St. Louis. As a child, he was adopted alongside his older brother, who helped raise him, after his mother lost custody of her children due to problems stemming from the crack epidemic.
“I know the people that we help, more or less. If I’m not one of them, then I know someone who was or someone who is. My maternal mother, may she rest in peace, was unfortunately a victim of the crack cocaine epidemic,” Ellis-Brooks said. “That’s not what killed her; she only passed in the last couple of years, but it’s really a casualty since it had robbed her of motherhood.”
He graduated from high school, but had no interest in college. So, he enlisted in the Army, opting for war paint and desert brown Army camos over schoolwork and lectures.
A few months later, Ellis-Brooks went to Fort Sill in Oklahoma for boot camp. They shaved him bald, issued him a uniform and instilled in him the Army’s core values. He became an Aircraft Systems Operator at the Fort Irwin National Training Center.
While in the Army, he developed a love for barbering, teaching himself through YouTube videos. He turned that love into a booming business, which he ran from inside the barracks. Eventually, that passion would consume him; he stopped focusing on qualifications and making rank, preferring to focus on cutting hair.
After a nine-month deployment in Iraq, Ellis-Brooks arranged a trip to Los Angeles for a barbers’ convention with his friends. Throwing caution to the wind, he drove two and a half hours in his ‘08 Ford Focus, which still required some maintenance.
The car was fine, until it wasn’t; he found himself stranded in front of the Mid-City Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles. He lifted the hood and noticed that the car desperately needed transmission fluid.
Ellis-Brooks began smiling, retelling the story. “I tell people, I think a lot of my journey is a result of obedience,” he said. “Obedience is what led me to that convention. Obedience is what I feel led me to Erica.”
He entered Roscoe’s and started talking to a loud group of girls, and within that group sat his soon-tobe girlfriend, Erica. They exchanged numbers, and a year later, they started a life together.
Ellis-Brooks was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant, with two combat deployments, and an Army Commendation Medal. He worked multiple jobs after the Army, then decided to go back to school.
“Erica said, ‘Alright, you want to go to school? I got the perfect place for you.’ Ignorantly, I was like, ‘Let me just go study at USC.’ Boy, if I could smack myself from two years ago, I would,” Ellis-Brooks said, laughing and smacking his hands together.
He then said, “She went to SMC; sung high praises, so I said, ‘I’ll give it a shot.’ Fell in love with it, right away. Immediately saw why she loved it.” So, he got involved with the school.
According to Sherri Bradford, Program Leader for the Black Collegian Program Umoja Community, Ellis-Brooks has “always been a person who’s wanted to make sure other students had access to resources. He would help facilitate club meetings, then he got involved with the Veterans Club.”
Justin Ellis-Brooks (left), founder of “Books With Brooks,” shares a supportive moment with Erica Gunn at the “Books with Brooks” community event on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at MacArthur Park.(Mary Funsten | The Corsair)
He served on the Officer Board of Black Collegians before becoming the president of SMC’s Student Veterans of America chapter. Ellis-Brooks was “always with the presence of, ‘how can I be of service,’” Bradford said.
While in school, Ellis-Brooks began to read for fun. One book turned to five, five turned to 30, and before he knew it he had a collection of books ready to be given away.
“I guess I love learning. I’m going to read these books anyway, so I might as well document it, create art with it, inform with it, and educate with it,” Ellis-Brooks said.
He then said, “I have extra copies of books too, so why not continue to practice forms of mutual aid by hosting free book browsing and give these books away as I’m educating folk.”
“I’m inspired by the (Party’s) free breakfast program. I want to learn about every single program,” Ellis-Brooks said. “You want to talk about revolutionary, we built a complete infrastructure under such an oppressive system.”
He continued posting on social media and networking, trying to find likeminded individuals. Within a few months, Ellis-Brooks raised enough money to fund BwB’s first event in March 2025 at MacArthur Park.
“Mutual aid is what I was taught as a child. If you see somebody needs help, help them. It’s simple.”
- Justin Ellis Brooks
Suddenly, Ellis-Brooks had a new calling: helping those who have been marginalized through the power of education.
He built a small following posting pro-Black content on social media, but felt that he could do more. Using money from his GI Bill, he began laying the foundation for something more impactful: Books with Brooks (BwB) and the Free Book Initiative.
BwB is a grassroots organization that focuses on empowering and enriching low-income communities through mutual aid and literature. Ellis-Brooks aims to develop the organization into a non-profit that provides social programs, deriving inspiration from the Black Panther Party (BPP).
They distributed food, 100 hygiene kits in drawstring bags, informational pamphlets and overdose prevention items. Once fewer people arrived at the canopy, they walked around the park and hand-delivered the remaining resources.
“He’s consistently putting himself out there for the greater good: helping our unhoused members of society, helping everyone in the community, just being a person who wants to be there for people, when others haven’t been. It’s just beautiful and I’m so happy to witness and help,” said Erica Gunn, Ellis-Brooks’ girlfriend.
A life of service is what Ellis-Brooks chose. “Mutual aid is what I was taught as a child. If you see somebody needs help, help them. It’s simple,” Ellis-Brooks said.
“Revolution isn’t inherently violent, it doesn’t always have to be centered in violence,” he said. “Oftentimes, you’ll get further taking care of your people than crashing out on the system.”
Justin Ellis-Brooks (center) and SMC student volunteers speak with police officers on the permit requirement during the event organized by Ellis-Brooks. ( Mary Funsten | The Corsair)
2024-25 AS spending: Shortfalls, major proposals and prior year comparisons
An overview of the Associated Students expenditures from this year. Phoebe Huss | News Editor
Areview by the Corsair of this year’s Associated Students (AS) expenditures found that AS overspent their unrestricted and Basic Needs funding accounts. However, the yearly revenues have yet to be totalled and might round out the difference.
At Santa Monica College (SMC), the AS governing body manages over $2 million each year and allot it for various purposes, including school events, club activities, welfare initiatives, and legislative advocacy.
In May, the current Board of Directors and Finance Committee concluded their yearly spending at their final meeting. The Corsair reviewed all AS expenditures noted on Director meeting minutes, which are kept by the AS Secretary.
This review revealed that AS spent about $629,000 over the 2024-25 school year, from a total of 160 proposals submitted by campus clubs and departments. The review also found that AS overspent certain accounts and generated surpluses for others.
The AS budget, mostly derived from student fees, is split into unrestricted and restricted funds, each composed of accounts. Each account has a designated purpose, as follows: Unrestricted funds:
• Activities, for AS-sponsored activities. Budgeted $80,000. Spent $63,645.03
• Inter-Club Council (ICC) Allotment, supplying each club with a budget; also for ICC events. Budgeted $40,000. Spent $56,657.05
• Leadership, for Director-related expenses, like stipends and nameplates. Budgeted $38,000. Spent $36,500
• Office, for office supplies and equipment. Budgeted $8,000. Spent $9,928.78
• Publicity, for promoting a respectable AS image and publicizing AS, ICC and clubs. Budgeted $5,000. Spent $18,550
• Special Projects, for projects that support the “A.S. mission and values.” Budgeted $44,000. Spent $24,290.39
• Sustainability, for sustainability resources and initiatives. Budgeted $30,000. Spent $39,970
• Conferences / Memberships, for travel and conference costs including memberships. Budgeted $5,000. Spent $22,546
• Elections, for publicizing elections and assisting candidates with campaign finances. Budgeted $2,000. Untouched.
• Contingency, “last-minute opportunities and unexpected developments.” Budgeted $10,000. Untouched.
Though the AS approves a budget for these unrestricted accounts at the beginning of the year, the money will shift between accounts as approved by the Committee. Therefore, these accounts are only technically overspent if the unrestricted fund in general is overspent.
For 2024-25, the budgeted unrestricted fund totalled at $262,000, projected to be completely covered by revenues. However, AS spent $272,087.05 out of these accounts.
By contrast, restricted line items are alloted for “very specific purposes,” per the AS Fiscal Policy. These funds carry over each year, as well as receive revenue from fees.
Santa Monica College (SMC) Associated Students (AS) Board of Directors convene at their last meeting of 2024-25. (Fai Fong | The Corsair)
Restricted funds:
• Student Success, for success initiatives and resources. Beginning balance: $68,033. Spent $50,435
• Cayton Center, for the center’s upkeep. Beginning balance: $1,155,391. Spent $15,404.47
• Basic Needs, for initiatives like housing and food security. Beginning balance: $81,934. Spent $94,348.90
• Public Relations / SMC President, for AS-President collaborations. Beginning balance: $90,982. Untouched.
• Student Representation, for Student Senate of California Community Colleges (SSCCC) events and other activities related to participatory governance. Beginning balance: $211,999. Spent $92,669.92
• Prior Year Surplus (PYS), for “special opportunities,” but cannot be used to “mitigate budget shortfalls or to circumvent Fiscal Policy.” Beginning balance: $163,190. Spent $104,000
Another restricted account is the AS Reserves, a rainy-day fund only to be accessed in an extreme emergency. The reserves were untouched this year.
The most expensive approved proposal this year was the 2025-26 AS operating budget of $71,200, submitted by the Office of Student Life and approved on May 19. This is a typical yearly expense.
However, other bigleague projects were verified by the Board and Finance Committee and are to impart novel developments on the SMC campus. Among others, this includes $45,000 Health and Wellness vending machines, $24,000 water bottle refill stations, and another $24,000 spent on hotspots for lowincome students.
Graph by Phoebe Huss
Graph by Phoebe Huss
The SMC Commencement Ceremony will be live-streamed thanks to a $45,000 PYS appropriation. Other big purchases were $35,000 from Basic Needs for Giving Thanksgiving in 2024, and another $35,000 from PYS for the Art Department’s Black Lunch Table.
AS solidified the most proposals that were submitted by the governing body itself, approving over 45 of its own proposals and more than $300,000 worth of funds. Their proposals included AS promotional materials, Director activities and events, and Cayton
Center improvements — as well as campus-wide initiatives.
Of all approved proposals, the average cost was $3,930.91. Proposals ranged from $25 to the aforementioned $71,200.
All Basic Needs expenditures were carried out with four proposals, funding Giving Thanksgiving, care packages for unhoused students, the vending machines, and free lunch vouchers for the upcoming school year.
Every year in the fall, AS approves a budget for both unrestricted and restricted accounts. Throughout the school year, AS reviews funding proposals submitted by campus organizations and allots money accordingly.
Once approved by Student Life, the Finance Committee reviews proposals and recommends them to the Board, who gives final verification. The Finance Committee is chaired by the Director of Budget Management and consists of both student directors and faculty members.
David Duncan, 2024-25 Santa Monica College (SMC) Associated Students (AS) President, presides over the last meeting of the term year. (Fai Fong | The Corsair)
Graph by Phoebe Huss
Despite skyrocketing popularity, female athletes continue to be paid significantly less in comparison to their male counterparts.
by Jenna Tibby
Staff Editorial
Illustration
It’sno secret that men have overshadowed and dismissed women, throughout history. The past shows that women were never seen as equal, especially in sports.
However, women’s sports have recently started to rise. If you ask anyone now about athletes like Caitlin Clark or Angel Reese, they’d most likely know things beyond the simple facts - what position they play, which WNBA team they’re a part of, what college they played at - and that’s just within the scope of professional basketball. Imagine what people can say now about Olympians like Simone Biles, Trinity Rodman or even college stars with name, image and likeness (NIL) deals.
Women’s sports have truly taken over and are gaining more viewership than ever. According to the National Women’s Soccer League, their total viewership in the postseason garnered around 18 million views, five times more than in 2023.
Yet a statistic came along comparing the rookie season salary of the number one 2024 draft picks between the Indiana Fever’s (WNBA)
aforementioned Clark and the San Antonio Spurs (NBA) Victor Wembanyama. The gap was nothing short of appalling. How can there be a 12,023,500-dollar gap between these two?
It is important to fact-check this number. At first, a twelve-milliondollar gap sounds unthinkable, but these numbers prove to be slightly inaccurate. According to ESPN Wembanyama was actually making around $12.7 million during his rookie season while Clark was only making around $76,000.
Clark’s final and record-breaking season at Iowa was one that truly propelled her fame and brought light to the WNBA, despite their loss to the University of South Carolina in the NCAA national championship. Most refer to this as the “Caitlin Clark effect,” where she is credited with the impact on the popularity of women’s basketball. According to the WNBA, with the help of Clark and other prominent women’s college basketball stars, the league picked up viewership by 170% in just the 2024 season. So yes, everyone really does watch women’s sports.
“If you’re not watching women’s sports, you’re truly missing out. Now is the time to tune in, as the sky’s the limit for women’s sports,” Clark said in a 2023 interview after winning Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year.
There are some missed research and plot holes to consider in regards to the pay gap. The comparison used seventyfive thousand, which was only part of Clark’s total earnings in her rookie year. This is part of a four-year contract with the Fever with a salary of around $338,000. In fact, her total 2024 salary was not twelve million dollars short of Wembanyama’s, but only around 1.6 million, funded mainly through sponsorships and deals.
The kicker is, Wembanyama’s rookie season salary still remains at around $12.7 million for the same contract - a four-year deal with a team, the Spursand this doesn’t include sponsorships.
So why is it that women continue to get paid less than men? And why does it still matter now?
Firstly, there are new opportunities for women’s sports that are emerging in the United States. The WNBA continues to make headlines, but
Illustration by Jenna Tibby
what about other professional sports leagues here? The American professional volleyball situation is a perfect example.
Recently, two new pro volleyball leagues developed and began their inaugural seasons here in the United States. 2024 saw the rise of the Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF), debuting with seven teams that recruited some of the most well-known volleyball stars at the college and professional level from their draft. And just a year later, League One Volleyball (LOVB) began their inaugural season with some of the best volleyball veterans.
examples to look at is between the main basketball leagues: the NBA holds a higher and softer cap, while the WNBA holds a harder and lower cap.
Essentially a softer cap simply means that more factors add to the total. The NBA’s salaries are typically more due to higher ticket sales, different broadcasting and media deals and merchandise sales.
Viewership for the WNBA has historically been lower, even with growing popularity. Due to a “lack of fan interest,” WNBA athletes find it difficult to make a salary
“As athletes, we have to fight. As women, we have to fight… And we need more people at our table to fight with us.”
Another female pro team that has been gaining attention is the Women’s National Soccer Team. The team recently won gold at the 2024 Olympics and despite winning multiple World Cup titles, they continue to get paid short compared to the men’s.
On average, the salaries for a player in these two leagues range from around $60,000 to $245,000. PVF has listed their salary range from between $60,000 to $175,000, while the U.S. national soccer team has raised their salary pay to $245,000 to $327,000. Additionally, an average WNBA salary is calculated at around $60,000 to $140,000.
The main difference between the disputed pay gap between male and female athletes, however, lies within the salary caps and media deals set by each league. One of the better
Simply put, the women’s leagues would have to be given the same opportunities as men’s leagues. This would include increasing the media coverage, brand deals, sponsorships and investments. However, it isn’t that easy for these solutions to happen.
It is also important to consider that now with the league in the limelight, the W and other leagues can expand and make the changes that their players may be asking for.
As the popularity of women’s sports continues to rise, so does the hope that these solutions happen as well. The WNBA has already begun to
-Skylar Diggins-Smith
even comparable to their NBA counterparts.
Another factor to consider is the length of the leagues. The NBA is referred to as having a “50 year head-start” compared to the WNBA, allowing the league to earn more deals, revenue and sponsorships.
Finally, the revenue shares that add to salaries differ between each league. NBA players receive half of all the revenue earned, while WNBA players receive half of all of the league’s incremental revenue, according to Just Women’s Sports. Players in the W only receive their share of the revenue that is earned above the league’s yearly target revenue.
Basically, men’s sports leagues have all the advantages in this situation. So how can the issue of the pay gap be fixed?
make better changes for their athletes, including chartering private flights and, namely, increasing salaries.
“As athletes, we have to fight. As women, we have to fight… And we need more people at our table to fight with us,” said WNBA player Skylar Diggins-Smith in a 2018 interview.
As the conversation about the pay gap continues, it is important to acknowledge women in sports. The pay gap is simply a part of a larger principle that demands equity and equality for female athletes. With our support, as fans, we can help push the narrative that female athletes deserve equal opportunities to the leagues to make the changes we aim to see.
Far From Home, Close to Stress
There is a need for inclusive support networks and institutional understanding among international students.
Yasmina Tyrnakova | Staff Writer
Studying abroad is the dream of any foreign student. It is an opportunity to unleash abilities, broaden horizons, make unforgettable impressions and acquire new skills.
Every year, a vast number of students from different countries come to the United States with hopes of getting higher education and building their futures.
By studying in the US, international students make educational institutions more in demand and diverse. These students contribute to colleges’ academic success, further degrees, active participation in
their fields of study, inclusivity and economic value.
However, apart from the opportunity to have an unforgettable experience, certain obstacles hinder and overwhelm international students. This is a reality that many local students and professors are unaware of. International students contend with financial constraints, documentation issues, lack of privileges, language barriers, academic pressures and cultural differences.
The main problem for international students is financial constraints and economic
inequality. While new California residents and recent California high school graduate students who are residents could apply for an SMC Promise Grant, will be exempt from paying tuition, medical care, student benefits, related student resources, and representation expenses, international students pay $5,600 for 12 units per semester. Sadly, there are practically no discounts, grants, or scholarships for international students to cover more than half of this amount. Many students here come from large families, where it can be very difficult to pay for their studies if they have several children.
Graphic by Fai Fong
”It happened that people perceived me aggressively, because my communication style was different”
Others come from middle-income families in their homeland, where even a one-time tuition fee can put a heavy financial burden on them.
For example, in Kazakhstan, $5,600 is about 3 million tenge (Kazakh currency), while the average salary is about 300,000 to 400,000 tenge, which is almost $800. I chose my home country as an example, because I want to demonstrate the gap between average income in a foreign country and the actual costs of studying abroad, to dispel the common stereotype that international students are highly wealthy.
Thus, it is clear that many international parents need to take out loans to pay for their children’s education, even for just one semester. Given this fact, institutions should either reduce the price of tuition, or provide each student with the opportunities to cover this amount, such as scholarships or high-paying campus jobs.
In addition to paying a high tuition, students are forced to look for housing that is not a dormitory. The majority of community colleges, including SMC, do not offer dorms or assistance to foreign students who are underage or unfamiliar
with the area. These students do not receive airport transfers, mentoring or housing. For students who still live abroad, many rental options require an advance payment for the entire year plus an appropriate deposit.
Moreover, many people wonder why international students have to pay additional expenses for certain courses, performances, and so on. In SMC’s theater department, each local student actor completes three academic units to participate in the plays, without paying additional costs, as these credits are already included in the tuition fee.
However, international students have to pay almost $2,000 just to participate and earn the same units.
Based on personal experience, I was faced with an interesting situation. At the beginning of the rehearsals, the stage managers mentioned that we could get about three units for participating in the play. I was happy about it until I found out that I would have to pay. Considering that we had already devoted our time, effort, and creativity to this project, it seemed unfair.
I paid because I thought that this condition was the same for everyone. Later, I found out from my colleagues that this amount
-Ariunjargal
was paid exclusively by foreign actors. Lately, I discovered that it was considered as additional credits that international students were supposed to pay for . I was shocked that local students do not pay for the performances, and the rehearsals took almost six hours, so I haven’t been back yet.
The controversy is that there are many more expectations and requirements for international students, even though they do not have access to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) that many American students rely on. They also have limitations and competitiveness with most scholarships.
Secondly, foreign students face problems with legal and bureaucratic restrictions. Specifically, these include restrictions on employment, obtaining a Social Security number and a valid work permit, and finding opportunities to volunteer. These obstacles affect students and their families financially and limit their opportunities to gain practical experience in their fields of study. Therefore, despite the fact that they are very motivated to participate and develop, many international students experience feelings of disappointment and isolation.
“International students cannot work off-campus without a work permit or social security number, as they can apply three or five months in advance in their final year before the last semester,” said Jeremy Lange, International Student Services Specialist at SMC. “Volunteering with the United States is also considered a job, so you also need a permit.”
We wonder where to look for self-sufficiency funds. It seems that if students can’t work offcampus, they should look for a job on campus, like in the library or cafeteria. However, not all college employees fulfill their management and obligations by delaying payment. For students who are already struggling to find a balance between studying and survival, this increases stress and insecurity.
The pressure on students has become even more acute in the context of a difficult political situation. Students have to cope with the fear of violating the conditions of their visa as immigration regulations are being investigated. And also because of academic and financial stresses which put visa status of international students at risk. Some people become victims of fraud, which is often committed through emails on behalf of educational institutions or
immigration authorities. Students may accidently share important information because they believe that the messages are real, which could lead to identity theft or immigration problems. In more extreme situations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers could make unexpected visits to students, further increasing the atmosphere of uncertainty and anxiety.
Finally, the international students often face cultural differences and language barriers. It could affect not only psychological stability, personal well-being, but also academic performance. The mentality, etiquette, communication style, slang, social adaptation and expectations in the classroom can be radically different from what students are used to in their home countries. It takes patience, time, and the support of peers and faculty to overcome these obstacles.
to be sympathetic to situations where international students may show some degree of unconscious misconduct and misunderstanding.
Most students, like immigrants in general, face various psychological problems when
Academic learning is also not an easy task, since a significant portion of students do not speak English as their native language. Relearning subjects from a native language to English can make it harder to participate in classroom discussions, complete assignments, or establish
It can be seen that studying abroad is fraught with serious obstacles that are sometimes overlooked, even if it gives international students a rare opportunity to develop both academically and personally. Cultural barriers, legal and document limitations, and financial difficulties can all have a significant impact on their academic performance and overall well-being. These challenges show how much additional institutional assistance, more equal and fair policies, and greater awareness of local students and staff are needed. We will not be able to create a truly inclusive and motivating learning environment unless we all realize this and take action.
“Students who come here on certain conditions feel quite internally shackled or restricted”
- Nasima Quzieva
”It happened that people perceived me aggressively, because my communication style was different. That is, I could ask or say something very calmly, but people perceived it impropriety,” said Ariunjargal Ganbold, a student from Mongolia. “It also took me a while to get used to the local slang and phraseological units in order to integrate into communication.” It reflects a typical problem faced by international students trying to establish valuable connections by orient in a new cultural norms.
Therefore, local students, professors and employees need
they fail to adapt. Nasima Quzieva, a student from Tajikistan, said, “It is a common occurrence that students who come here on certain conditions feel quite internally shackled or restricted.
”Unfortunately, some students, thinking that they did not meet their parents’ expectations, or because they were afraid to return home…. passed away either as a result of their own actions or as a result of situations caused by extreme emotional stress.” These tragic and heartbreaking consequences show how urgently needed the available psychiatric care and a more sympathetic understanding of the international students’ experience.
relationships with peers and professors. In addition, this language barrier can prevent students from fully demonstrating their academic potential and often causes self-doubt.
Therefore, when two events, “Japanese Conversation Café - Tea Time” and “Global Citizenship Symposium,” were held on the main campus, it helped to introduce students to a new culture. To establish a welcoming and supportive college environment where all students, regardless of background, can succeed, it is important to recognize and eliminate these struggles.
Abroad is fraught with serious obstacles that are sometimes overlooked, even if it gives international students a rare opportunity to develop both academically and personally. Cultural barriers, legal and document limitations, and financial difficulties can all have a significant impact on their academic performance and overall well-being. These challenges show how much additional institutional assistance, more equal and fair policies, and greater awareness of local students and staff are needed. We will not be able to create a truly inclusive and motivating learning environment unless we all realize this and take action.
Photo illustration by Jake Crandall
(Stress, from previous page)
El Clásico Femenil: A game for the ages
Club América and Chivas hosted the first ever Clásico Femenil match in the United States at BMO Stadium as the rivalry between both clubs intensified.
Marvin Ramirez | Sports Editor
Carolina Jaramillo (Left), midfielder for Chivas de Guadalajara falls while trying to advance to forward, Noemi Granados, midfielder for Club América, defends and receives a yellow card for foul play.
(Ana Sanchez Venegas | The Corsair)
For the first time in history, an El Clásico De México Femenil match between Club América and Chivas de Guadalajara was held in the United States at the BMO Stadium.As the two biggest soccer clubs in Mexico, their rivalry goes hand in hand. As the wealthiest and most successful team with 16 Liga MX titles, Club América’s “Ódiame Más” (Hate Me More) motto juxtaposes Chivas’ traditional and good-natured “Equipo Más Mexicano” (Most Mexican Team) motto that has stood for most of their history with 12 Liga MX titles. Chivas stand in second behind their bitter rivals as the most successful club in Mexico.
Since the founding of Liga MX Femenil in 2016 and its inaugural 2017 season, América and Chivas have both won two titles each, tightening their already fierce rivalry.
It was no surprise that this matchup would be an intense one. Before the game began, there was a fan event outside where live music was played, food was available to eat and fans could take photos with the Liga MX Trophy. To everyone’s surprise, fans were also treated with a show from the Chilean soccer content creator with over two million followers across all platforms, Cata Vega, who showed off her freestyling skills.
After Vega’s performance, she took photos with fans and spoke about the importance of El Super Clasico being played here in the U.S. “(It’s) awesome because … (women’s) football is growing … So I think it’s very important to feel (at) home. And also here (in the) U.S., the women’s team is amazing. So to have … the clásico from Mexico to here, that … is awesome. I hope more games … (are played here in the U.S.),” she said. Her final prediction of the game was 2-0 for América.
The historic match brought the opportunity for many families to bring their daughters and show them that it’s possible for them to become soccer players.
“We’re trying to do it for her, … we’ve been saying, look at what they do. …The girl from Club América who pushes herself every day, …it’s an (group) effort, what they do every day so that we can watch that spectacle that we’re going to see today,” said Luis Arciniega, translated from Spanish to English by the Corsair. Arciniega brought his wife and daughter to watch the America femenil team play.
“Women’s soccer in general … is growing. It’s something that’s being demonstrated here, right now, with this game. … And that’s why today I … bring my daughter and my wife to enjoy it together, as a family," said Arciniega, translated by the Corsair.
For Nallely Rosales and her daughter, who are both Chivas fans, it allows Rosales to show her daughter what’s achievable for her.
“It’s for my daughter that … if she wants to be a soccer player, she can be a soccer player, even though she’s a girl. … So she can see that there’s professional ladies doing what she loves to do,” Rosales said.
As the women’s game grows more in the U.S. and the world, these matches allow many to see their favorite team no matter the gender. Noe De Santiago, a Chivas fan, shared that the reason why he came to the match was to support his club.
“I think it’s very important, just almost equally as important as the men because … whoever puts on the (Chivas) shirt and goes out on the field represents the club. … It’s very important,” Santiago said.
Leading up to the matchup, the Liga MX Femenil playoffs wrapped up as Chivas and América faced off against each other in a two-legged semi-final. América defeated Chivas after beating them 4-2 on aggregate. América moved to the finals but eventually lost to the winners, Pachuca, 3-2.
Although it was a friendly match, it was very heated as players argued and complained over foul calls given to the opposing team.
Before the match began, everyone in the stadium rose for the U.S. national anthem performed by Alessandra Gutierrez. As the anthem came to a close with cheers from the crowd.
The players came out of the tunnel, lining up onto the field with giant banners of their respective teams behind them. Visible from the field was both the Mexican flag and the U.S. flag on each side.
Once the players lined up, Mariachi star Deyra Barrera, who appeared on Kendrick Lamar’s 2024 GMX album, performed the Mexican national anthem. Cheers were heard after Barreras’ performance, and as she finished the lineups for both teams were revealed.
Kickoff began soon after as cheers erupted from the fans around the stadium. The Chivas supporters were heavily outnumbered by América fans, as the ultras for America appeared to be louder and chants were heard all game from their supporters.
Las Rojiblancas started the game with concern early, as forward Gabriela Valenzuela came down with an apparent injury and their medical team had to be deployed to check on Valenzuela. She limped off the field but was able to return back in the game.
Early in the first half, midfielder Natalia Mauleón intercepted a pass with the opportunity to put Las Águilas ahead. As Mauleón ran past the defender, she shot just outside of the box but it was saved by Chivas goalkeeper Celeste Espino for a corner kick.
In the 17th minute of the game, during the corner kick, midfielder Irene Guerrero placed a pass to the box, where the ball fell to Mauleón as she scored, causing Las Águilas to lead 1-0 over Chivas.
The pressure started to set in as both teams had opportunities on the counterattack, but they failed to capitalize until América started putting the intensity on Chivas. In the 34th minute of the game, Águilas defender Sabrina Enciso crossed the ball into the box where Guerrero slipped through two Chivas defenders to slot the ball into the bottom left corner to extend América’s lead, 2-0, as fans exploded in cheers.
Club America fans celebrate the team’s win. (Ana Sanchez Venegas | The Corsair)
Four minutes later, in the 38th minute of the match, midfielder Carolina Jaramillo for Chivas leads the counterattack as she runs past defenders into the box. She crosses the ball near the far post to Valenzuela and she scores the ball near the second post to give Chivas a fighting chance asthey trail behind America, 2-1.
Las Rojiblancas kept the competition alive as right before added time, in the 45 minute of the game, Jaramillo passed the ball though the legs of the America defender to forward Viridiana Salazar who’s strike to the bottom left corner tied the game, 2-2. Chivas fans cheered coming back from a two goal deficit.
There’s a lot of meaning behind why these fans support their club. For many, it’s a family thing, and to see the games with their family brings collectiveness.
“The club is something we love since we were kids. … It runs deeper than just a club. … It’s a family thing. Our kids … love the club. We love the club. Our parents love the club. It’s (a) generational thing, you know. And even if it’s (the women’s team), it’s a club, it has a huge history, you know,” said Wolfy, a Los Rejas Chivas Ultra supporter who came to watch the game.
In the 45 plus one minute of the game, as Valenzuela went up for the ball, she fell awkwardly on her back and was on the ground for some time. She was stretchered out of the game as applause erupted throughout the stadium in support of
her. Valenzuela was subbed off and replaced by forward Montserrat Hernández. After a few more minutes of time added because of the pause, the first half ended as the game was level 2-2.
The second half started strong for Las Águilas as in the 49 minute Mauleón scored a brace after toe poking the ball into the bottom right corner leading 3-2 to what has already been a goal fest of a game.
It took Chivas 10 minutes to equalize, as in the 59th minute, Salazar ran down the left flank and smashed the ball into the near post to tie the game yet again, 3-3. Excitement arose from the fans as the goals kept on coming.
It would stay at a stalemate for most of the match as both teams failed to find another opportunity to take the lead.
In the 90 plus fifth minute of the match, America had the opportunity to win the match as forward Priscila Flor da Silva managed to be one on one against the goalkeeper, but Chivas defender Damaris Godinez came out of nowhere to foul Priscila outside the box. The foul stopped a clear goal-scoring opportunity, so the referee had no choice but to hand Godinez a red card. A small scuffle erupted between the teams, but they were able to get it together on what was the final play of the match.
Nanci Anotonio (Left), midfielder for Club América, fights over ball with Yamile Franco (Right), midfielder for Chivas de Guadalajara (Ana Sanchez Venegas | The Corsair)
Damaris Godinez, defense for Chivas de Guadalajara heads the soccer ball.(Ana Sanchez Venegas | The Corsair)
The ball was set, and América’s Montserrat Saldívar stepped up to take the free kick. In front of the cheering fans and with this being potentially the winning goal, Saldívar kicked the ball to the top right corner, where the goalkeeper had no chance of saving it as Las Águilas won the game, 4-3, with no time left to play.
The crowd erupted as América won it for their fans. As the final whistle blew, Las Águilas celebrated their victory with those who came to watch them, and for the fans, they claimed bragging rights after the game.
“[It] was a great match. (It) was tough, but the good thing (was that América) won,” said Vega after watching the match, adding her reaction to the freekick, “I screamed a lot. … (It) was a perfect (shot).”
Vega would love to see more games come to LA, as fans seemed to enjoy El Clásico.
It was a tough battle for both teams as they couldn’t stop scoring, but the challenges helped each individual player stand out more for those who rose to the occasion.
“Well, in the end, it was a tough final. We gave it our all. We knew we had a chance there, but we’re working hard. In the end, we have to turn the page quickly, and what better way than with this match,” said Mauleón to the media during the post game press conference, translated from Spanish to English by the Corsair.
Both teams looking for positives, Chivas dispute the loss reflected on the match with optimism rather than disappointment.
“We always have our minds set on winning. It helps us a lot to see mistakes we can improve, like you said. But, well, we’re all about enjoying football, enjoying
this match, which was very beautiful, and nothing else,” said Chivas midfielder Joselyn De La Rosa to media, translated by the Corsair.“The truth is that the rivalry was very beautiful. We believe that both teams came here to put on a good match. Regardless of the result, I think that’s not what we came here for. América and Chivas, we came here for that, for the people to have fun, for the people to get hooked on us, … and enjoy the match.”
Alicia Cervantes (Left), Chivas de Guadalajara striker, attempts to advance to the goal, and Sandra Paños (Right), Club América goalkeeper, stops advancements (Ana Sanchez Venegas | The Corsair)
Sabrina Enciso, defender for Club América on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at Bank of Montreal (BMO) Stadium, Los Angeles, Calif. (Ana Sanchez Venegas | The Corsair)
Run to Rebuild fundraiser raises over $200 for wildfire victims
Santa Monica College’s Business in Sports Club presented the Run to Rebuild fundraiser for wildfire victims on May 15 at Corsair Field on Morrison Track.
(Left to Right) Elijah Aaron, Jazlyn Ocasio, Nay Thurein Soe, and Bill Koch run during the “Run to Rebuild” fundraiser on Thursday, May 15, 2025 at the Corsair Stadium at Santa Monica Corsair)
Mollie Bishop | Design Editor
Santa Monica College (SMC) students took to the starting line at Corsair Field on Morrison track to raise money for victims of the recent wildfires in Southern California on May 15. After two weeks of collecting donations, the Business in Sports Club reported that $264 dollars was raised from runners, but it cost $1,610.58 to put on the event according to Associated Students.
“(Participants) themselves have a cash collection form in which they’ll be giving out to many
people who want to donate, depending on how many laps they do run,” said Andre Villavicencio, president of the Business in Sports Club. After counting how many laps they ran, runners would ask donors to donate a certain amount for each lap completed.
“We’ve been planning this fundraiser since fall semester,” Villavicencio said. “We were trying to figure out something (to) fundraise for until we saw the unfortunate incident of the California wildfires.”
“We decided to make the fun run fundraiser in support of the people who lost their houses, their clothes, everything from the California wildfires,” he said. All of the funds earned were given to the SMC Disaster Relief Foundation.
The Business in Sports Club partnered with Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society, Black Collegians, Creator Rewards Club, Finance and Accounting Club, Boxing Club and Oaxacans at SMC to host Run to Rebuild.
Food from Chick-fil-A and Jimmy John’s was provided to participants halfway through the fundraiser.
The clubs awarded Jazlyn Ocasio with an iPad as she ran the most laps out of all participants. “I knew it was for the fires … but I didn’t know that there was going to be a prize or anything,” Ocasio said. “So I was just running hoping to do better than the time I do with my dog.” She ran eight miles within one hour.
Jazlyn Ocasio runs during the “Run to Rebuild” fundraiser. Ocasio ran the most laps in total. She ran a total of 30 laps, or eight miles, in an hour. (Ana Sanchez Venegas | The Corsair)
Juarez (Left), president of the Oaxacans Club at SMC, marks a tally as Jazlyn Ocasio (Right) begins to run her last lap. Ocasio completed the most laps, with a total of 30 in an hour. (Ana Sanchez Venegas | The Corsair)
Monica College (SMC), Santa Monica, Calif. (Ana Sanchez Venegas | The
How accurate are online professor
There are major differences in online student ratings for Rate My Professors, but SMC pass rates remain the same across different subjects.
Brandon Quinonez | Staff Writer
For many Santa Monica College (SMC) students, ratemyprofessors.com (RMP) is a trusted website for researching professors. This popular review platform allows students to rate professors from different subjects with a quality score out of 5, allowing students to make a decision before enrolling into a class.
Despite many students utilizing the site, do these nameless reviews reflect the experiences of all students in the classroom?
“Every time I use Rate My Professor... most of the time, they’re pretty honest and accurate,” Heidi Serrano said, a second year criminal justice major and frequent user of RMP, who
reflects the trust many SMC students place in the platform.
However, not all students share the same opinion. Third year theater major Bella Thi is more cautious about using RMP.
“Generally, people tend to exaggerate reviews... Sometimes it’s a personal thing, and sometimes they’re awesome,” Thi said, suggesting that some reviews might be based more on personal experiences. “Personality is more important to me in most situations.”
Using RMP and analyzing departments with over 1,000 quality student review scores
Graph by Brandon Quinonez . Source: Ratemyprofessors.com
professor ratings?
from the past 2023-24 semesters, this chart presents the average score of SMC’s biggest academic departments, revealing how favorably students rate professors. Arts and Humanities instructors have the highest quality score at 4.7 out of 5 stars, while Physical and Life Sciences trails at 3.3 stars. Math professors score 3.8 stars, higher than both departments of Physical and Life Science and the 3.5 stars in Social Science/Communications.
When these ratings are compared to the percentage of students earning a C or higher in the 2023–24 academic year, another story is shown. By organizing SMC’s grade distribution data among all students per semester, pass rates are between 75% and 78%, suggesting that SMC students in different departments have similar academic outcomes each semester.
Yet, RMP reviews say differently. Arts & Humanities is rated a full point higher than most other departments, showing that SMC
students in these courses feel more satisfied with their professors in online reviews, even though actual performance does not vary much. To add on, the Math and Physical/Life Science departments have similar pass rates but students rate Math instructors more favorably on RMP.
Angus Sandoval, a third year art major who has never used RMP, points out his issue with online reviews. “From what I know about the internet, negativity usually comes out first,” Sandoval said, implying that most online reviews on RMP are from negative experiences.
Despite different views, students on campus still have trust in a site like Rate My Professors. “Students do their best to be honest, or at least share what they think is best,” Serrano said.
“It definitely helps me choose classes better than going in blind,” Thi said.
Graphic by Jenna Tibby
Graph by Brandon Quinonez. Source: SMC Grade Distribution
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AT
Twelve different students from six different continents share their experiences Nathan Hanson | Staff Photogapher
According to the Santa Monica College (SMC) Fall 2024 census, SMC enrolled 1,876 international students, comprising approximately 10% of the overall student body. These students represent more than 100 countries across the globe, bringing with them a wide variety of languages, customs and cultures to campus.
International students are a prominent community at SMC. Not only do they contribute unique perspectives from around the world, but they’re also an important financial asset to the college, paying approximately ten times the amount that a California resident pays.
Among this large student demographic are 12 individuals — hailing from every continent — except Antarctica — who sat down with the Corsair to share their experiences of life in the United States.
The students opened up about their upbringings in their hometowns along with the rich cultural heritage that they all retained. They spoke about the various customs and holidays they remember celebrating; the initial homesickness and loneliness they all felt when they left their respective homes; the language barriers they faced upon arriving; and their hopes and dreams for the future once they graduate from SMC.
Aung Kaung Myat, a computer science major at SMC, who goes return to Myanmar or stay in the United States after graduation.
Masie Najafi, a photography major at SMC, sits with a book titled The Divan of Hafez, a 14th-century Persian poet, atop a traditional tablecloth called a termeh. In Iran, people widely read Hafez during the holidays as a way to connect with one another — often believing the book can tell their future. (Nathan Hanson | The Corsair)
Georgia Carvalho, a psychology major at SMC from the United Kingdom, holds out a keychain with the Gemini zodiac symbol given to her by her twin sister, Sarah. Carvalho talks about her close bond with her sister and identifies the Gemini symbol – which represents twins – as something that sustains their connection. (Nathan Hanson | The Corsair)
Myat holds a scroll featuring three of his native Myanmar. In Myanmar — — pagodas are gold structures built Hanson | The Corsair)
CULTURE
AT SANTA MONICA COLLEGE
experiences moving to the United States and attending SMC.
Each person carried a unique perspective of the world, but all shared many similarities. One of the striking things that every person missed about home, without question, was the food.
“I’m telling you, everything tastes different,” said Sarai Melchor, a psychology major at SMC, originally from Copan Ruinas, a city in the far eastern region of Honduras. Copan Ruinas is home to Escalinata de los Jeroglíficos, one of the most important sites in ancient Mayan civilization.
In Copan Ruinas, “everything is just freshly from the ground. So it’s actually organic… and here, if it’s organic, you have to pay crazy prices for it. But in my town, a grocery store would actually be more expensive, even though it’s more industrialized,” Melchor said.
Everyone noted that the quality of food in the U.S. is much lower than in their home countries. They all mentioned, to some degree, that food here feels overly processed, lacks flavor and that the food in their home countries tasted richer and more natural.
The second common topic shared was the unique holidays and celebrations they observe back home. Many of these holidays share similar themes.
For example, in Iran, there is a holiday called Chaharshanbe Suri, which translates to Red Wednesday in English.
“People celebrate and make a fire,” said Masie Najafi, a photography major at SMC, originally from Tehran, the capital city of Iran.
Deborah Kabongo, a fashion design major at SMC, moved to the United States in 2019 from Kinshasa, the capital city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. (Nathan Hanson | The Corsair)
goes by Logan in the United States, is uncertain whether he will graduation. (Nathan Hanson | The Corsair)
Lucia Izaguirre, a theater arts major at SMC, holds a necklace with a cross that her mother bought for her at a fair. Izaguirre says her mother gave it to her during a particularly difficult day, and she carries it to feel connected to her family in Argentina.
(Nathan Hanson | The Corsair)
of the most famous pagodas from — a majority Buddhist country to honor the Buddha. (Nathan
“Fire has a lot of traditional importance in Iran. They honor and celebrate fire. They don’t pray to fire, but as a light, they honor it,” she said.
It falls on the last Wednesday before Nowruz, or Persian New Year, in March. To observe the holiday, people light small bonfires and jump over them, symbolically purifying themselves from the past year.
In Ukraine, there is a holiday called Ivana Kupala, celebrated on the evening between July
CULTURE
On the eve of the religious procession, people across Honduras create images of Jesus Christ, biblical scenes, flowers, and geometric patterns using colored sawdust. The next day, during the procession, the sawdust is swept away and disappears. Semana Santa is also celebrated in Argentina, but the tradition of making alfombras is largely absent.
“We take a week to rest, for Catholic people to join,” said Lucia Izaguirre, a theater arts major at SMC, originally from Buenos Aires, the capital city in Argentina. “We’re not religious.
6 and 7. Women wear crowns of flowers on their heads and then float them down the river to predict their future marriage prospects.
“We also do a bonfire and we jump over it. It’s mostly like a celebration of the end of spring and beginning of summer,” said Tania Tolstykh, an economics major at SMC, originally from Kyiv, the capital city of Ukraine.
In much of Latin America, Semana Santa, or Holy Week, is celebrated in the week leading up to Easter. However, Central America — and specifically Honduras — has a unique tradition of creating “alfombras,” which translates to “carpet” in English.
But people take time to join with their families and it’s another week of meeting with people you love”
Finally, the most universal theme shared by everyone was how much they miss their family, friends, and communities back home.
“I’m very family-oriented – I love my family so much,” said Hala Zaouri, a communications major from Casablanca, the commercial hub located on the west coast of Morocco.
“Every single time I have an opportunity, I buy my ticket and go there to see my parents.
Most of my friends left for France or another
However, for some students, leaving home was hostility. “When I got to Union Station, I had Myat, who goes by Logan in the United States. commercial hub in Myanmar.
Tania Tolstykh, an economics major at SMC, shares her experiences growing up in Kyiv, the capital city of Ukraine, a country located in Eastern Europe. (Nathan Hanson | The Corsair)
Sarai Melchor, a psychology major at holds out a wallet with Mayan city known for the Escalinata de los Jeroglíficos – or Jeroglíficos is a structure made up of over 2,200 glyph blocks to the early 9th century AD. (Nathan Hanson | The Corsair)
Masie Najafi, a photography major at SMC expresses her people perceive the country, and the fact that she has a very and embassy complications. (Nathan Hanson | The Corsair)
country, so they’re only there in summer.” was sometimes met with discrimination and this woman yell at me,” said Aung Kaung States. Myat is originally from Yangon, the
CULTURE
“Some people, when they see that you’re Asian, they just tell you to go back to your country. There was some discrimination, you know? Not everybody – just a few people.”
Some students did not come by choice — either their parents arranged for them to come, or they came to the United States with their parents.
“Moving to America, it was not my decision. It was my parents’ decision,” said Deborah Kabongo, a fashion design major at SMC from Kinshasa, the capital city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
“They basically wanted me to move here and leave, study. Actually having American education and study here and everything. So, a new life here basically.”
For Vincent Litwin, a business administration major at SMC, originally from Łódź, Poland, he said that his parents always had the intention for him to eventually live in an English-speaking country.
“One of the things that I can assume and tell you is that it’s kind of their unrealized dream,” Litwin said. “My dad is kind of in love with America, too. As a businessman, there’s no better place to be, objectively speaking, in most cases than the US because of the capital and opportunities.”
Many others arrived completely alone. Everyone, though, shared the experience of leaving everything they ever knew thousands of miles away.
In the end, all of the students expressed hope and optimism. Despite the pain of being separated from their loved ones, they all feel that they made the right decision by moving to the United States. Stay tuned for the full Q&A series on thecorsaironline.com.
with the name of her hometown, Copan Ruinas, an ancient or the Hieroglyphic Stairway. The Escalinata de los blocks that chronicles the city’s history from the 5th century Corsair)
her frustration with the Iranian government, the way very difficult time visiting family due to various visa Corsair)
Hala Zaouri, a communications major at SMC, holds out a scarf gifted to her by her mother. Zaouri wears the scarf when she visits her family and friends in her native Morocco.
(Nathan Hanson | The Corsair)
Hugh Milne, a student at SMC, stands for a portrait inside the Math and Sciences Building on the main SMC campus on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in Santa Monica, Calif. Milne, who previously lived in Pacific Palisades, shares their experience evacuating the area during the wildfires that devastated it in early January 2025. (Nathan Hanson | The Corsair)
Esteban Rivas (L), in the role of Figaro, and Megan Cook (R), in the role of Susanna kiss good bye during Act 1 of Mozart’s comedy, SMC Opera Theater and the Symphony Orchestra present a fully staged production of Mozart’s comedy. (Silke Eichholz | The Corsair)
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
“The Marriage of Figaro” takes BroadStage
Cassidy Diaz | Copy Editor
SMC’s Opera Theatre and Symphony Orchestra closes the spring semester with “The Marriage of Figaro” by Mozart.
As the spring semester comes to an end, the Santa Monica College (SMC) Opera Theatre and Symphony Orchestra held their last concert on May 25. They ended with a performance of “The Marriage of Figaro” composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Lorenzo Da Ponte in 1786.
Broken into four acts, the story of “The Marriage of Figaro” follows servants, Figaro and Susanna as they prepare for the wedding, as a series of events and deceptions take place. Count Almaviva, who has an eye on Susanna and tries to tempt her, all while the Countess tries to catch him in the act.
The opera is directed by Janelle DeStefano, director of the SMC Opera Theatre, and music conducted by SMC’s Symphony
Orchestra’s music director
Mercedes Juan Musotto. They created a collaboration between both departments this spring to create “The Marriage of Figaro.”
“We usually do a production every spring, so I’m leading the singers and leading (the) orchestra, so I’m kind of in between making sure the preparations throughout the semester,” said Musotto.
The performance had been in the works since the beginning of the year, as well as being a selffunded show, by the funds of ticket sales from previous shows. “We have been working on this since January so it’s been a lot of months and time of preparation, but it’s always fun to get here, to get to the performance and see all the singers and orchestra have fun, how everyone is getting so much
experience and opportunities,” Musotto said.
The duration of the performance was three hours, with an intermission halfway through. With alternating sets, costume changes and music to compliment the opera singers voices it brings Mozart’s art to life.
“It’s a full production with orchestra, you will see the singers, with costumes, lights, props, everything, on stage, and the orchestra in the pit below the stage. So you don’t see the orchestra, you just hear them,” said Musotto. Alongside translated subtitles, as the opera is fully sung in Italian.
“The Marriage of Figaro” centers itself on the vocal range and acting aspects. “We have to pick repertoire
that we can achieve, and repertoire that is going to be vocally healthy for our students,” said Musotto.
With laughter throughout the theatre, “The Marriage of Figaro” portrays high energy with the acting and music. Something new continues to flow throughout the show either by the schemes of the acting and the heightened sound of the orchestra.
“You never know what is going to be the trigger, some people are triggered by the music, some people are moved by the acting, or the beauty of the costumes, or some people are able to appreciate how everything comes together,” said Musotto.
Megan Cook (front), in the role of Susanna, and Esteban Rivas (back), in the role of Figaro, lay next to each other envisioning their living space after marriage.
(Silke Eichholz | The Corsair)
Singers (front to back) Maya Derbise as Cherubino and Megan Cook as Susanna rehearse The Marriage of Figaro (Le Nozze di Figaro). The two singing casts and SMC orchestra are made up of students, alumni, and community members, as well as musician faculty. (Elizabeth Bacher | The Corsair)
Opera Theatre singers of Santa Monica College, celebrate a double marriage of Susanna and Figaro during the fully staged production of Mozart’s comedy at the Eli & Edythe Broad Stage in Santa Monica, Calif., on Thursday, May 22, 2025. (Silke Eichholz | The Corsair)
Rosamaria Garcia (L), in the role of the Countess Rosina Almaviva, and Maya Derbise (R), in the role of Cherubino, the Count’s page, perform during Act 2 of Mozart’s comedy. Cherubino kisses the Countess’ hand, grateful that she noticed that the count forgot to seal Cherubino’s military commission with his signet ring to make it an official document. (Silke Eichholz | The Corsair)
Singer Maya Derbise as Cherubino rehearses The Marriage of Figaro, or Le Nozze di Figaro. (Elizabeth Bacher | The Corsair)
Rehearsals before the big show: Global Motion World Dance
The Global Motion World Dance Company prepares for their Spring performances.
Ana Sanchez Venegas | Staff Photographer
On May 8, 2025, students and choreographers gathered at the dance studios on the third floor of Santa Monica College’s (SMC) Core Performance Center. Dancers and choreographers were working on finishing touches and fine tune their forms in preparation for the Global Motion performances at BroadStage on Saturday May 17 and Sunday May 18.
“Usually whenever we put on a show every semester we will have a faculty choreographer, guest choreographer and student choreographer. A guest choreographer is usually the one that is new work that is not offered,” said Sri Susilowati, co-director of Global Motion World Dance Company. This semester, Global Motion World Dance Company featured performances from West Africa, Latin America, Asia, Mexico, Greece and the United States.
From their first auditions, students have been working on learning and mastering their forms in preparation for recital. This semester featured faculty choreographers including Laura Camellia, Keali’i Ceballos, Angela Jordan and Christopher Scott. Each choreographed the Salsa, Ballroom Jive, West African and Tap performances respectively.
“The Philippines [piece]is still traditional, but the storyline is contemporary,” said director Susilowati. Afrobeats, choreographed by Abigail Fritz and led by Amahah Woodard, introduces a contemporary dance to the show. “When the audience comes to see our show we will bring a much wider variety, not only in terms of different forms [of dance] but also different forms of aesthetic, sometimes traditional, sometimes more contemporary... Hopefully people will get more excited because the art form is not static,” said Susilowati.
Global Motion World Dance Company dancer
Amayah Woodard rehearses
“Lo Lo Lo,” a celebratory Afrobeats social dance piece choreographed by Abagail Fritz, assisted by Amayah Woodard. (Elizabeth Bacher | The Corsair)
The spring show also performs the Flor de Piña (Pineapple Flower) Dance from Oaxaca, a southern state of Mexico. Susilowati said, “We did Oaxaca in 2010 or 11, and that was the first time I saw the pineapple dance. The footwork is completely different... I was really excited to have this again.” The Flor de Piña was choreographed by Sandra Martinez Hernandez, a guest for this semester’s Global Motion.
The student choreographers for this performance included Aidan Rex Cook (Greek Folklore), Simon Lathrop (Musical) and Mayu Oishi (Contemporary Ballet). In addition to leading their prospective pieces, these students also took part in other performances throughout the show.
Susilowati emphasized the importance of programs like Global Motion. “For the students and for audiences, just like knowing the culture, you are understanding other people and understanding humanity. It goes back to the global citizen mission.”
Another requirement for the performance class was for students to journal privately. “Global dance students, they have to write a journal and part of that journal we ask the choreographer to give background story and to give culture description... I love reading their journal,” Susilowati said.
Students also learned about the culture of southern Philippines, a Muslim majority region in a country which is majorly Catholic. Learning about their traditions and how they influence dance resulted in a richer understanding of the dances from Mindanao.
Susilowati said, “Through dance we were talking about history, world history, World War II everything. From dancing, you can go into different routes, it touches so many aspects.”
Mayu Oishi rehearses for Spring 2025 Santa Monica College (SMC) Global Motion World Dance Company recital. Oishi is a member of the West African performance, which is choreographed by Angela Jordan, a faculty choreographer at SMC. (Ana Sanchez Venegas | The Corsair)
Global Motion World Dance Company rehearses “Flor de Pina,” choreographed by Sandra
Global Motion World Dance Company rehearses “Sagayan - Silong Sa Ganding” choregraphed by Peter de Guzman, for their upcoming performances this weekend at BroadStage on May 14th, 2025 in Santa Monica, Calif. (Elizabeth Bacher | The Corsair)
Global Motion World Dance company dancers Simon Lathrop (front) and Mayu Oishi (back) rehearse Mayu Oishi’s piece titled “Ikigai.” (Elizabeth Bacher | The Corsair)
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Global Motion World Dance Company dancers silhouetted against a vibrant background in rehearsal for “Lo Lo Lo,” a celebratory Afrobeats social dance piece choreographed by Abagail Fritz (Elizabeth Bacher | The Corsair)
Sandra Martinez. (Elizabeth Bacher | The Corsair)
Global Motion World Dance Company dancers Mayu Oishi (front) and Simon Lathrop rehearse “Ikigai,” choregraphed by Mayu Oishi. (Elizabeth Bacher | The Corsair)
“Seeing what my fellow peers make is always inspiring.”
Madisen Matsuura, Art Major
Collective Effervescence
Kayjel J. Mairena Staff Writer
Creative energy in the SMC Art Department challenge and lift students
Sculptures sit on a small lawn with three tall trees providing shade. A man made of metal wiring floats overhead, coming within inches of a ball, but forever out of reach. Students covered in foam dust enter and exit their class as they work on their end-of-theyear projects.
Willow Vergara, an art major at Santa Monica College
(SMC), said, “One of the things we talked about in our class recently was collective effervescence, which is like the progression of people thinking up with each other. Looking around, we do have that collective effervescence. We listen to each other’s music, we listen to each other talk about our pieces, and so in that way, we’re all geared to share experiences. It’s a very open community. I feel like you can find lots of friends
Madeline Hanna Bilak shapes blown glass.
Haneul Park prepares a glass bowl as part of her semester project during the glass lab in the SMC Art
Eduardo Peralta | The Corsair
Camille
“Cam” LopezAmbrosio, uses a pair of jacks to sculpt molten glass.
Eduardo Peralta | The Corsair
(Left) Carlos Munoz, 73, working with pastels in a drawing class.
Luci Green holds an abstract version of a human bone molded in clay.
Danny Sanchez | The Corsair
Phillip Friedlander | The Corsair
Nathan Hanson | The Corsair
(Above) Architecture major Kyana Baniasagi, places two pieces of foam atop her abstract sculpture.
Eduardo Peralta|| The Corsair
(Center L-R) Ralmundo Maties chats with classmate Carlos Munozin during a drawing class.
Masie Najafi | The Corsair
Art Complex on April 4.
“Super happy to see my work displayed. I love seeing everyone’s artwork. It’s like a community.”
Nicholas Shriner
(L-R)
Effervescence, from previous page
Students at SMC displayed their artwork at the Art Complex, showcasing their skills before the end of the spring semester. SMC offers a wide range of art classes, including multiple different mediums of art, two-dimensional design, three-dimensional design and art theory.
SMC offers more than the basic painting, drawing and printmaking classes. The two-dimensional design classes teach students visual design language. Three-dimensional design includes ceramics, sculpture and glassblowing.
“This piece is my self-portrait. It is intentionally made rough and has a lot of elements going on it to express my confusion and understanding and coming into my own identity,” said Vergara as she presented a large white banner with a picture of a bust statue.
“It’s called ‘Tangled Roots, Weeping Willow.’ Growing up mixed in America, I felt like people’s perception of me didn’t always reflect my upbringing, my cultural values and where I come from and the people around me,” said Vergara.
Vergara then walked over community display case some of her own Afrocentric tures. She identified her alongside some of her favorite sculptures and glassware her classmates. Inside the case, works like “Zero Percent” Nicholas Shriner, can be alongside multiple works Legos by Ira Zimmerman.
“Super happy to see my displayed. I love seeing everyone’s artwork. It’s like a community,” Shriner.
Lucie Green and Nicholas Shriner work together on a foam carving. Green has accumulated four
Carving tools in the Sculpture Fundamentals class.
Eduardo Peralta | The Corsair
Drew Houlday works glass hot from the furnace.
Masie Najafi | The Corsair
Haneul Park uses a punty to gather molten Glass from a 2,400° F furnace.
Danny Sanchez | The Corsair
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
over to a holding
Afrocentric sculpown work favorite glassware created by the show-
Percent” by be found, works made of Zimmerman. work everyone’s community,” said
Community and artwork aren’t the only things that can be found at the Art Complex. Students find inspiration from their peers.
“Seeing what my fellow peers make is always inspiring and always gives me new ideas, makes me think of new things. It’s one of the biggest reasons why I come to school is just to be around other people and their work,” said Madisen Matsuura, an art major at SMC.
Pierce Craw | The Corsair
Micheal Owodori works on a flame torch project.
Danny Sanchez | The Corsair
Handcrafted glass on display in Art Complex.
Art student Kyana Baniasagi framed between the faces of a man and woman sstatues in the Complex courtyard.
Nathan Hanson | The Corsair
Masie Najafi | The Corsair
four Associate Degrees at SMC all in art.
Celeste Epino, goalkeeper for Chivas de Guadalajara, waves to soccer fans after the game on Saturday May 17, 2025 at Bank of Montreal (BMO) Stadium, Los Angeles, Calif. This is the first “El Clásico Femenil : Club América vs. Chivas de Guadalajara,” to take place in the United States. Club América won 4:3 during the friendly match against Chivas de Guadalajara. (Ana Sanchez Venegas | The Corsair)