Christian Chan, Diego Villalobos, Carlos Perez, Dillon Stafford, Neal Hebrard-DeFrance, Kollin Zullo, Catherine Lighton, Daisy Juarez, Wynn Blas, Samantha Oliva, Michael Diebert, Ty’reka Ray, Jordy Emanuel Mar, Patrick Conlon, Thais Bunai, Raymond Watts, Christine Xolotl Muñoz
Photographers
Front Cover
Santa Monica College (SMC) Corsair WR (3) Elijah Aaron stiff arms John Swain (24) Victor Valley College Rams DB Victor Valley College at the American Division Championship Bowl Game at Victor Valley College in Victorville, Calif., on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. The Corsairs were defeated by the Rams 38-23. (Jake Crandall | The Corsair)
Inside cover
Santa Monica College (SMC) Corsair basketball player Khafre Garrett-Mills (#10) is going up for a layup during the SMC men’s basketball match against Compton College at Corsair Gym, Santa Monica, Calif., Nov. 7, 2025. The Corsair won 82-67.
Masie Najafi | The Corsair
Back Cover
A collection of vintage spoons curated by Graf vendor Hrachik Atoyan at Melrose Trading Post, located at Fairfax High School in Los Angeles, Calif., during a Santa Monica College (SMC) fashion department field trip for SMC students on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. The artisan flea market is held weekly.
Elizabeth Bacher | The Corsair
Elizabeth Bacher, Jordi Garcia Sosa, Katy Santa Cruz, Micah Wilson, Juliana Frame, Fai Fong, Masie Najafi, Louis Ballard, Ana Sanchez Venegas, Danny Sanchez, Michael Knox, Kiros Nzuriwatu
Social Media Staff
Andrew Starnes, Sebastian Mathews, Daniela Landaverde, Shaylee Guerrero, Zander Vega, Aleli Amores, Robert Ruckett, Maryeloise Samoya, Eve Huerta, Seth Sirmenis, Andrea Castillo, Verna Jones
Letter From the Editor Wishing Upon a Star
From Nov.13. To Nov. 19., it is recognized as Transgender Awareness Week. It leads up to the Transgender Day of Remembrance — a day that memorializes victims of transphobic violence. Residing in a country where over 1,011 anti-trans bills have been considered in just the year 2025 alone, 124 of which have passed, I want to talk about those dearest to me. Throughout my life, I have been surrounded with friends who are transgender, and those friends are the ones I would trust with anything. They are the ones who have watched me grow, change, and supported me through the hardest moments. Without my best friends, I have no idea who I’d be. I love them more than anything; they are some of the strongest people I know. It is a scary time to be anything besides the societal norm. No one should ever have to face discrimination for their sexual or gender identity – absolutely no one should have to be scared of being comfortable in their own skin. To keep yourself educated on anti-trans bills in America, you can reference the transgender legislation tracker, a site that is updated daily.
Gender identity is complex. It’s something I’ve struggled with in the past. Sometimes, I wish I could be perceived as simply nothing — no labels to define me – not man or woman or in between. I want to just exist; I find myself growing more envious of stars day by day. I wish I was made of only hydrogen and helium. I wish the core of my being was just a bunch of nuclear fusion. Maybe if I try really hard, I can wish to be reincarnated into one in my next life, whenever that may be.
Over the weekend, rain filled Los Angeles for the first time this Fall. I find myself thriving in the cold, enjoying the sprinkles of rain on my skin. Although the cold, windy breeze might make my nose flush pink and my hands freeze, I will always prefer it over the hot sun. It reminds me of the winters I spent in Oregon with my family. My eighteenth birthday was spent in Newport Oregon— a sleepy beach town I hope to reside in one day. One of the most beautiful parts of the rain is that while I may love it and find it comforting, others might not. Each person is different, and it’s so important to hold onto individuality. I hope the chilly weather continues and cups of hot tea continue to keep my hands warm.
Editor in Chief Katie Easterson
Veterans Day at Santa Monica Pier
The city of Santa Monica held its sixth annual Veterans Day ceremony Kayjel J. Mairena || News Editor
Thecity of Santa Monica partnered with the U.S. Army for its sixth annual Veterans Day ceremony at the Santa Monica Pier on Tuesday, Nov. 11.
The event started at 11 a.m. and ended at noon. Radio station 95.5 KLOS provided music and entertainment, Meals on Wheels handed out free food and Coulson Aviation performed a flyover in a Chinook helicopter that couldn’t be seen through the overcast sky.
Dozens of veterans, reservists and active-duty military personnel in partial or full uniform gathered on the pier’s west parking deck to watch the celebration. Children climbed on an Army vehicle to take pictures, adults went to a blue tent to learn about Navy SEALs, and others swarmed a video game pop-up tent.
“Today is a phenomenal experience being a Navy veteran and being Veterans Day, being around my community. We all served our country together. So, it’s a very special time for me today being around other people older than me who served,” said André Andrews, chairman of the California American Legion Gaming Committee.
Parents stood on the pier, smiling, as they watched their children be sworn into the Army. People stood at attention while the James Monroe High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps performed a posting of colors, and many individuals moved closer to the stage to hear Gen. Bryan Fenton, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, speak.
“It’s great to see the community support and recognize,” said Los Angeles Recruiting Battalion Commander Erin Fritzler, a lieutenant colonel with 19 years in the Army. “It’s tough to see military presence sometimes in really dense areas like L.A. So, it’s good to just come together and recognize it, celebrate veterans.”
Gen. Bryan Fenton (Left) swears in future Army soldiers at the Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, Calif., on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, during a Veterans Day ceremony. (Kayjel J. Mairena | The Corsair)
Army veterans stand at attention, while the James Monroe High School Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps performs a posting of colors
James Monroe High School’s Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps performs a posting of colors
Championship Dreams Collapse at the Bowl Game
Kayjel J. Mairena || News Editor
The Victory Valley Rams beat Santa Monica College Corsairs at the American Divisional Championship
The Santa Monica College (SMC) Corsair football team’s dominant season ended in a crushing defeat, losing 38-23 to the Victor Valley Rams at the American Divisional Championship Bowl Game in Victorville, Calif., on Nov. 16.
SMC’s offense outscored its opponents 482187 in 2025, and the defense allowed an average of 17 points per game. However, none of that mattered in the championship game.
Corsairs led at the half and struck first in the third quarter to go up two possessions, putting the score at 17-7. But all momentum stalled after that, with the Rams scoring 28
“Momentum was
on
our side. Then they came back and scored that big touchdown, and the momentum just switched to them,”
SMC quarterback Dylan Moreno.
unanswered points.
“We needed to settle down,” said Victor Valley’s head coach, David Slover. “Our competition hasn’t been as stiff as them. We had to step up from playing teams that were just above average compared to a talented Santa Monica.”
Victor Valley’s offense proved dominant through the air; QB Seth Burbine threw for 339 yards and four touchdowns, completing 30 of 38 passes. Rams running back Carlos Amployo carved through SMC’s defensive line, recording one touchdown and 103 yards on 10 attempts.
Darren Gandy (2) WR Victor Valley College (VVC) Ram scores a touchdown at the American Division Championship Bowl Game at VCC in Victorville, Calif., on Sunday.
Jake Crandall | The Corsair
The Rams sacked Moreno twice, intercepted him once and held SMC’s offense to 356 total yards — 192 passing and 164 rushing.
“We just didn’t come together as a full offense and defense,” said Corsairs tight end Bryson Wood, who earned the player of the game award.
“We kind of separated throughout the game,” said Wood.
Multiple late errors from the Corsairs prevented momentum from building in the second half. Moreno scrambled and fought for every
Rams: 38 Corsairs: 23
yard, but couldn’t connect with his receivers. SMC’s defense fell apart, with the Rams repeatedly exploiting holes in the defensive line and coverage.
As the clock wound down, SMC players brought their on-field frustration to the sidelines. But when the clock struck double zero and Victor Valley’s DJ put on Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” some Corsair players wept.
“It’s rare to have a season like this where they get to play that hard, that long, and play for a group of guys that’s as good as they had on this team,” said SMC head coach Kelly Ludwith.
“I told the guys they need to be proud,” said Ludwith.
SMC fought until the end but ultimately stalled out in the divisional championship. They finished the season 8-3 and now need to fill the roles of transferring sophomores. With 2025 ending in defeat, the Corsairs look to the future to attain gold.
Final Season Record : 8-3
Tom Rosholt | The Corsair
Jake Crandall | The Corsair
Santa Monica College Corsair RB (4) Mckenzie Parks breaks away for a 69 yard touchrun to start the second half at the American Division Championship Bowl Game on Sunday.
Santa Monica College (SMC) Corsair Bryson Wood (14) TE catches the ball for a touchdown at the American Division Championship Bowl Game
Santa Monica College Corsair DB (22) Amare Russell intercepts the ball and runs back to the 50 yardline at the American Division Championship Bowl Game in Victor Valley College Corsair on Sunday.
Tom Rosholt | The Corsair
Corsairs Crush: women’s soccer team headed to playoffs after 3-0 victory.
(L-R) Alysa Bagdasaryan #12, Head Coach Aaron Benditson, & Jacinda Hevesy-Rodriguez #1 of the SMC Corsairs womans soccer team Head Coach Benditson along with both team captions after 3-0 win over Marauder places them in Western State Conferance (WSC) regional playoffs for the CCCAA Womans Soccer Championship in the final regular season game against Antelope Valley College Marauders at Santa Monica College in Santa Monica, Calif., Thursday, Nov. 13th 2025 Danny Sanchez | Corsair
Monica College Corsairs women’s soccer team closes out regular season defeating Antelope Valley College Marauders 3-0.
Patrick Conlon | Staff Writer
The Santa Monica College (SMC) women’s soccer team is headed to the playoffs after winning their final game of the regular season on Thursday, Nov. 13, 3-0 against the Antelope Valley College (AVC) Marauders.
The Corsairs’ win capped off an impressive second half of the regular season; over their last eight games, they won seven and tied one.
Although offensive gains and constant aggression defined the Corsairs’ victory, the game started slowly, with neither team seeming to gain an advantage over the other. That changed when sophomore midfielder Lyric Gomez-Muniz broke away with the ball and ran it downfield to score the first goal.
In quick succession, Gomez-Muniz scored another goal on a penalty kick just a few plays after her first. The rest of the first half was characterized by an offense that was hungry for any shot on net they could get, with another two more attempts that missed before the half was over.
The Marauders tried to reciprocate the aggression by keeping the ball on the Corsairs’ side of the field for the remaining minutes of the first half, but couldn’t come together for a goal even with the help of a penalty kick that nearly made it in.
The second half kicked off with a bang, as sophomore forward Erica Bautista extended the Corsairs’ lead with a goal in the opening minutes. The rest of the second half consisted of back-and-forth play, with possession shifting between both sides. Still, the Corsairs controlled the pace of the game, only needing to play serious defense occasionally before they would drive the ball downfield again.
Corsairs coach Aaron Benitson had nothing but praise for his team, saying of their drive to improve after their devastating losing streak, “Honestly, I think, like, this was one of the most satisfying teams I’ve ever coached, because… they started from a place that wasn’t great. And they just wanted to just get better.”
However, momentum finally swung in the Corsairs’ favor in a stunning second half to the season. They closed out their last eight games on a victorious run, winning all but one game, starting with their streak-breaking victory over Bakersfield on Oct. 21.
Team captain Alyssa Bagdasaryan said on turning the season around, “We just kind of let everything from the first half of the season go and then take in, like, taking the opportunity of having a fresh start in.”
The Corsairs will start their postseason on Wednesday, Nov. 19. For more information regarding SMC’s soccer games and athletics, visit SMC’s athletics website.
Santa
(L-R) Dyleane Silva #14 of the AVC Marauders, Lyric Gomez-Muniz #7 & (team captain) Alysa Bagdasaryan #12 of the SMC Corairs Gomez-Muniz #7 Drives the ball towards goal with Bagdasaryan #12 Overlapping as the defender Silva #14 tries to steal Danny Sanchez | Corsair
Denver Ewing-Johnson #23 of the SMC Corsairs goes for a Long-shot in final moments of the 2nd half in the final regular season game against Antelope Valley College Danny Sanchez | Corsair
Second game, take them down!
In what started as a 20 point blowout, the Corsairs took down the Compton Coyotes 82-67.
Santa Monica College (SMC) Corsair basketball player Khafre Garrett-Mills (#10) is attempting a shot during the SMC men’s basketball match against Compton College at Corsair Gym, Santa Monica, Calif., Nov. 7, 2025. The Corsair won 82-67 Masie Najafi | The Corsair
SPORTS
Ciara Burris | Sports Editor
“NEVER
GET TOO HIGH, NEVER GET TOO LOW AND KEEP PUSHING AND DOING YOUR BEST AND KEEP WORKING HARD” - KHAFRE GARRETT - MILLS
The Santa Monica College (SMC) Corsairs men’s basketball team took down the Compton College Coyotes on Friday, Nov. 7 with a final score of 82-67. This was the second game of the season, with the Corsairs now leading 2-0 before their conference matchups. Corsairs’ former assistant coach Marcus Bryant, now the assistant head coach for the Compton Coyotes, was in attendance and hoping to secure a win against his former team.
The Corsairs got off to a fast start, setting the tone early. Sophomore guards Jerrell McCready and Sage Church entered the game on fire, scoring the first 13 points in less than five minutes. The team executed steady ball movement around the court, keeping the Coyotes guessing on who would take the next shot. Sharpshooter Khafre Garrett-Mills, quietly dropped 27 points leading to the Corsairs success.
After the Coyotes’ first timeout, they came back in playing aggressively on defense, with a lot of energy steaming from the sidelines. Guard Ley McGovern took multiple shot attempts but couldn’t get any to fall. The Corsairs dominated in their home gym for the first eight minutes of the game leading 20-0.
Trailing 22-0, sophomore guard Elijah Evans found himself at the foul line, securing one of two free throws for the Coyotes. Shortly after securing his first point, Evans made a fast break up the court, crossing over Corsairs 6-foot-7 forward Michael Kalu for a layup. The Coyotes’ sideline and fans exploded out of their seats, creating the high tempo for the rest of the quarter.
As the Coyotes picked up momentum, the Corsairs started to fizzle out with small but costly errors. Turnovers have been a consistent issue for the Corsairs, as they’ve struggled throughout their first two matchups. Before the game, McCready said, “Starting on defense and eliminating turnovers,” was one of the main focuses for him and his teammates Friday night.
Guard Jontue Cooper found himself in foul trouble early and took the bench for the remainder of the first quarter. He returned after halftime, taking flight on Deuce Roberts with a left hand poster dunk. Cooper, who played for the Coyotes during his freshman year before transferring to SMC, was excited for the matchup. “It’s always exciting to play your old school,” said Cooper after the game. “You want to show out obviously, hence why I had the four fouls trying to just be overzealous”.
With the Coyotes able to tie the score at 38-38 right before halftime, both head coaches told their teams to come out and play as if the score were 0-0. The energy was no longer as high for the Coyotes, but the Corsairs reentered the game with their same momentum from the start.
Both teams picked up heavy fouls, which some Coyotes fans found unnecessary. One fan was ejected from the game resulting in the rest of his party’s exit due to taunting one of the referees over missing a foul call. After a short delay of game, the Corsairs got back into action and extended their lead.
Garret-Mills took charge in the half after showing some frustration with the amount of runs the Coyotes were able to make. “At the end of the day it’s a game,” he said postgame, acknowledging he wants to stop showing his frustration on the court. “Never get too high, never get too low and keep pushing and doing your best and keep working hard,” he said, describing his mindset on recovering and making plays.
The Corsairs currently hold a 2-0 record after the successful 82-67 take down. McCready stepped up behind Garret-Mills, finishing the game with 16 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds.
It will be a quick turnaround for the Corsairs, whose next game is Saturday, Nov. 8 at 4 p.m. in the Corsair gymnasium. To follow the Corsairs men’s basketball schedule visit 2025-2026 SMC Men’s Basketball NewsSanta Monica College.
Santa Monica College (SMC) Corsair basketball player Michael Kalu(#3) is attempting a shot during the SMC men’s basketball match against Compton College at Corsair Gym, Santa Monica, Calif., Nov. 7, 2025. The Corsair won 82-67 Masie Najafi | The Corsair
ARTS AND CULTURE
Learning and Inspiration Through Vintage Fashion
SMC Fashion Students Gain Real-World Experience at Melrose Trading Post
By: Nastassia Melendez
Every Sunday, the parking lot of Fairfax High School transforms into Melrose Trading Post, a bustling artisan market. However, for Santa Monica College (SMC) fashion students, the marketplace was a lesson in entrepreneurship, sustainability and style during their department field trip on Sunday, Nov. 9.
Founded in 1997, the Melrose Trading Post (MTP) is operated by the Greenway Arts Alliance (GAA) with a mission to champion small businesses, art and community. The market funds Greenway’s arts education programs and provides employment and leadership opportunities for Fairfax High School students
“Melrose Trading Post is a great segue for students to realistically get into starting a business, if that’s what they want to do,” said SMC fashion professor Susan Kolko, who took part in organizing the field trip.
“It directly relates to where I am in terms of my goals for them and our program,” Kolko said. “Resale and flea markets and upcycling connect because our program is so focused on sustainability.”
Students browsed rows of curated vintage pieces, handmade jewelry, and original art while speaking with vendors about their journeys in fashion. For some, it was their first look into Los Angeles’ thriving small-business scene.
Elizabeth Bacher Photos | The Corsair
Melrose Trading Post, located at Fairfax High School in Los Angeles, Calif., during a Santa Monica College (SMC) fashion department field trip for SMC students on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025.
Santa Monica College (SMC) fashion professor Susan Kolko poses with a Home Depot jacket
Vintage Fashion
“I was surprised at how many small-business owners there were in Los Angeles,” said fashion student Lu Pan. “Talk to the business owners, learn their challenges and then get tips if you want to start a business.”
Pan said he was inspired by the creativity and determination of sellers who turned their passions into livelihoods. “It was very interesting to see vendors take a kind of niche product that they believe in and then turn it into a business,” Pan said.
One vendor Pan met had left the corporate world behind. “He realized that corporate culture is not for him,” Pan said. “To see what it takes to start a business,” he said regarding that
vendor, selling at MTP was “a great way to keep the spark.”
The trip also gave students a chance to see where sustainability and style intersect, two values deeply embedded in SMC’s fashion curriculum. “Most of our students look at these second hand items and are thinking either, ‘how can I refigure them or redesign them to be a more updated trend?’” Kolko said. “Or ‘how can I be conscientious about the environment in my business?’ Some students could be looking to start a resale business because there’s already enough clothes being made.”
For fashion student Kryss Hicks, the trip offered a new perspective on the purpose behind the market. “Greenway Arts Alliance used the money from Melrose Trading Post for Fairfax High School [students],” Hicks said. “They help them build a career resume and other skills that help them move into the workforce. I thought that
it was really amazing that the money is actually going towards the youth.”
Hicks was personally impacted by GAA’s funding. “They also use it to fund the arts, which I really love, because I feel like that’s the least funded and it’s hard,” she said. “But when you have someone who’s willingly fundraising for that consistently, you’re gonna get some full scale results.”
MTP also employs high school students. “They hire students to actually work there. So they’re giving them experience and they’re actually paying them,” Hicks said. “To have something that’s connected to your high school, and doing something as creative as like, helping with pop ups and doing things in that realm, I thought that was really cool.”
Recognizing how the market directly supports young artists and students left Hicks feeling
Vellvet vendor Nancy Fares poses for a portrait with two of her customized shirts
Santa Monica College (SMC) fashion professor Susan Kolko holds a glass elephant curated by Graf vendor Hrachik Atoyan
A vintage teapot portraying Big Ben, curated by vendor Fernando Gutierrez, at Melrose Trading
ARTS AND CULTURE
inspired. “Now understanding what it’s for and where the money’s actually going, that puts me in the space of wanting to support going to the Melrose Trading Post,” Hicks said.
For Hicks, MTP wasn’t just a swap meet but a platform that uplifts Los Angeles artists and directly benefits Fairfax High School students. It made her see the event as both an artistic outlet and a way to give back.
When asked if she felt motivated to start her own booth, she said, “Yes, I do. It’s like, oh, like, we could actually use this as an option.”
Seeing the creativity and sense of community gave Hicks a deeper appreciation for what it represented beyond just a place to shop. She noticed how each booth reflected the individuality and mindfulness of its creator, from the organized displays to the inclusivity of having affordable priced items for students on a fixed income. Hicks described a booth where “everything was
$10 or the deal was you get three for 25,” she said, “I got a few pieces and I ended up paying probably like 50 bucks.”
From a merchandising standpoint, Hicks said she gained valuable insights. “I got to look at the different booths from a merchandising perspective,” she said. “There was one booth that had everything color coordinated. One thing that tends to overwhelm me when it comes to thrifting sometimes is not being able to see what’s what. And so the fact that she had everything organized by color was super satisfying. That was one element that I appreciated.”
Among the vendors, Luis Fernando Gutierrez, who sells vintage glassware, shared why he believes craftsmanship still matters. “Back in the day, they used molds, it was a process, and if it was done right, they would make it again,” he said. “A lot of the vintage glass was done by hand, like the etching, was an art. Now it’s made by a machine.”
For Gutierrez, buying vintage is about honoring history. “They’ll be able to use something that was used in the past, and you know, give it a second life,” he said. “It has a little bit of history because of where it was made, and who made it. And you know, the techniques that they used, which they’re not in use now because now it’s done differently.”
Another longtime vendor, Nancy Fares, owner of the brand Vellvet, has been selling apparel at the market since 1998. “I had a store at the corner at that time, and they opened the flea market and we came almost from the start,” she said, pointing to an area where the market used to end, “it was small – just only here,” she said. MTP was only about a third of its current size.
Kolko believes the trading post is a “launching ground” for students ready to test their entrepreneurial skills. “It really gives them perspective,” she said.
Never In Fashion vendor Grace Mappala stands next to three of his hand drawn beige T-shirts (top row) at Melrose Trading Post, located at Fairfax High School in Los Angeles, Calif., during a Santa Monica College on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025.
Vendor Fernando Gutierrez holds a vintage Japanese serving bowl from the 1950s
Vintage glassware curated by vendor Fernando Gutierrez
Post, located at Fairfax High Schoow
The TUNEabomber: an explosive musical comedy
News Editor || Kayjel J. Mairena
A musical comedy about the Unabomber, Theodore Kaczynski, who killed three people and injured 23 others
Michael Wysong plays the piano dressed as Ted Kaczynski’s lawyer at the Lyric Hyperion in Los Angeles on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in the two-man musical comedy “The TUNEabomber.”
(Kayjel J. Mairena | The Corsair)
ARTS AND CULTURE
“It makes us sound like alcoholics,” said theater actor John Lampe. “But I was drunk one night and I texted Michael from a bar. I said, ‘What if the Unabomber really wanted to be a singer called the TUNEabomber?’”
Lampe and Michael Wysong starred as domestic terrorist Theodore Kaczynski and his lawyer in their explosive Unabomber-inspired two-man musical comedy, “The TUNEabomber,” on Sunday, Nov. 2, at the Lyric Hyperion in Los Angeles.
Kaczynski earned the name Unabomber after mailing a bomb to Northwestern University in 1978 and placing an explosive on an American Airlines flight in 1979, according to the FBI website.
Kaczynski mailed bombs for a period of 17 years, killing three people and injuring 23 others. The domestic terrorist pleaded guilty to federal charges related to the bombings and served multiple life sentences at a maximum-security prison in Florence, Colo., until his suicide in June 2023.
“The TUNEabomber” is set at a fictional parole board hearing, where Lampe portrays Kaczynski as he attempts to prove he’s a
reformed man with a passion for theater. “His crimes are heinous, but what is not the point of prison but rehabilitation,” Lampe said during the opening of the show.
Wysong, the co-creator, performs as Kaczynski’s lawyer while playing the piano as Lampe sings the Unabomber’s life story. According to the creators, almost all of it is true — except for the parts about theater and wanting to be the next Bob Fosse.
Kaczynski attended Harvard at the age of 16, where he participated in the CIA’s illegal human experimentation program, MK-Ultra, according to a 2018 Freedom of Information Act request. He earned his doctorate in mathematics and taught at the University of California, Berkeley, before becoming a recluse in Montana at 30.
The Unabomber started mailing explosives seven years later because of what he described as technology’s impact on humans and the environment, according to his manifesto.
People at the show weren’t oblivious to the Unabomber’s crimes; however, they kept an open mind while watching the musical.
Long Beach resident Loya Kadera shows off his pipe bomb tattoo on his bicep after the TUNEabomber, a Unabomber-inspired two-man musical comedy at the Lyric Hyperion in Los Angeles on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025. (Kayjel J. Mairena | The Corsair)
ARTS AND CULTURE
“Kaczynski is such an oddball, such an eccentric character, that maybe they’re making more fun of him than the victims,” said Boaz Sobrado, a man who just moved to Los Angeles from Budapest.
Lampe portrays Kaczynski as an ill-tempered, narcissistic loon who explodes into song and costumed dances — or sudden bursts of foulmouthed anger.
“It was very important to us that we not make fun of the victims,” Wysong said. “It was like, how can we make sure that we’re laughing at Ted?”
Wysong plays the piano as an anxious — and by the end, bloodied — wreck who receives beatings, verbal lashings, and exploding props, as he indulges the Unabomber, while Lampe sings about being a misunderstood genius who hates his brother’s wife.
People threw their arms up as they laughed, falling out of their chairs. Others stomped their feet and curled into balls, holding their stomachs as their faces turned tomato red.
Audience members shouted along with the Unabomber and entertained
“It was very important to us that we not make fun of the victims,” Wysong said. “It was like, how can we make sure that we’re laughing at Ted?”
his delusions throughout the show. “It was very contrast from the serious nature of what he actually did,” said Long Beach resident Loya Kadera, who dons a pipe bomb tattoo on his bicep. “It made it funny.”
People praised the performance afterward, swarming the merchandise table and thanking the actors as they left. “Beautiful singing, beautiful writing,” said L.A. County resident Curtis Bunnett.
Kaczynski lived in prison for over 20 years, with little communication to the outside world, before his suicide. Yet, he has become more relevant as technology advances.
“If, in a hundred years from now, no one’s talking about Ted Kaczynski, it means that we live in a world that is not quite the depressive, miserable vision that Kaczynski had.
However, if a hundred years from now it turns out we live in some sort of environmental climate catastrophe where we’re all slaves to machines, maybe he’ll have a significant legacy — where all things went wrong,” Sobrado said.
Michael Wysong (left) and John Lampe (right) perform in the TUNEabomber, a Unabomber-inspired two-man musical comedy at the Lyric Hyperion in Los Angeles. (Jake Crandall | The Corsair)
John Lampe holds a box dressed as Theodore Kaczynski at the Lyric Hyperion in Los Angeles during his Unabomber-inspired two-man musical comedy, “The TUNEabomber.” (Kayjel J. Mairena | The Corsair)
Michael Wysong (Left) and John Lampe (Right) sing at the Lyric Hyperion in Los Angeles during the TUNEabomber, a Unabomber-inspired two-man musical comedy. (Kayjel J. Mairena | The Corsair)
ARTS AND CULTURE
From Oslo to Los Angeles: SMC alum Andrea Gylthe’s creative journey
Editor in Chief || Katie Easterson
SMC Alum Andrea Glythe shares her story on how her time at SMC led to her passion for storytelling, creativity, and media.
Andrea Glythe was a professional downhill skier who lived in Oslo, Norway until the age of 21, when she made the courageous leap of faith and moved to Los Angeles, Calif. Glythe started her academic journey at Santa Monica College (SMC) at 21 years old, transferring to University of Southern California (USC) earning two associates degrees— one in communications and one in social and behavioral sciences.
Now 29, Glythe has earned her master’s in Digital Social Media on a full academic scholarship from USC.
For Glythe, it was a “culture shock,” coming to SMC as an international student. “Even just documenting my own journey and having people in Norway ask me questions, like, how did you do this, and how is your time at SMC, made me really interested in the media world. I’ve always been interested in how fashion and music have always been intertwined– but how a lot of industries have become more intertwined because of social media,” Glythe said.
As an athlete, Glythe would race around with music blasting in her headphones. Due to her athletic nature, she was consistently putting so much work into everything she did— Andrea carries that hard work ethic with her, especially within her time at SMC.
“I used to be a professional downhill skier, so there’s a lot of adrenaline. You’re uncomfortable a lot. And I think taking that kind of leap and moving to the U.S. by myself… I knew I wanted to go to USC or Columbia, and everyone was like, well I don’t think it’s gonna happen,” Glythe said.
Skiing is still something Glythe enjoys – but she no longer competes professionally. “I still enjoy it, like when I go on vacations, especially when I go home to Norway and visit. I will say, there’s a transition of moving from Norway. I think that sometimes people underestimate because they’re like, oh, you’re moving to the U.S. I’m like, yeah, it’s two completely different worlds,” Glythe said.
The guidance Glythe received at SMC opened and provided different opportunities for her. “I’m super grateful for all of the people that I’ve met and all the memories I’ve made. I think that it (Los Angeles) really is a city of opportunity — which is the main reason I moved here. I had the guidance and belief in myself that if I put my mind to something, I’m going to make it happen. I think the transition was huge, but now that I’ve been here for eight years, I could never imagine moving back to Norway. I have my whole life here, my friends here, and it’s so crazy to look back upon now, SMC was really the start of the life I built here.” Glythe said.
Currently, Glythe is the head of Social Media and Communications at the Los Angeles Academy for Artists and Music Production (LAAMP), which was founded by Tor Hermansen and Mikkel Eriksen of Stargate. It is executive directed by Chris Anokute. “I’m able to help people take their artistic journey to the next step and be able to help develop them to a point where they hopefully are on that big stage. I think it’s really meaningful,” Glythe said.
In her position, she oversees content strategy, brand storytelling, community engagement, and press outreach. Glythe believes that social media is
a great way for artists to express themselves, in addition to being a way for others to discover new talent.
“Back in the day, we would watch TV and a bunch of reality shows and that’s how young people would get influenced, versus now that has been moved over to social media. We watch less TV and spend more time on social media. We’re able to reach people that we never would have been able to reach before. You can actually communicate with people. It feels a lot more interactive than in the past. I think that’s a huge part of the fact that we feel more connected, you can easily comment and they might see it,” Glythe said.
Glythe always had an interest in media, music, and creativity. From a young age, it’s something she was passionate about. When she made the transition from Norway to Los Angeles and was no longer a skier, she took that opportunity to develop other interests while at SMC, and took those new passions along with her to USC.
One day, Glythe’s dream is to open her own firm or be an executive–but she is happy with the work she’s doing right now. Before working at LAAMP, Glythe was Khloé Kardashian’s assistant.
“Working for the Kardashian-Jenner family, I learned a lot about what goes into kinds of celebrities of a certain caliber. I’ve always wanted to do something that had a positive effect on the people around me and the people that I worked with. I think the work that I do at LAAMP is really meaningful. It’s stressful, but I think it’s really meaningful— it gives me a feeling of making a difference.” Glythe said.
Marcus Nasrollahy, a friend Andrea met during her time at SMC, described her as “ambitious, hardworking, friendly, sociable and compassionate.” The two were both international students, something they bonded over when first meeting. Nasrollahy moved from Scotland.
“She’s an open book.” Nasrollahy said. “She’s always trying to bring everybody together, whether it’s through events or group meetings or gym workouts, making sure everyone is having a great time.”
One of Nasrollahy’s most memorable moments with Andrea was doing facemasks together. “We’d go out and wear them, like go grocery shopping and go eat and stuff like that. People would look at us crazy but… We just had a good time with it. We didn’t care what anyone thought. Just having fun.” Nasrollahy said.
Another memory he recalls is spending time with Andrea at USC student day. “We had a really fun time, walking around and tailgating, walking around the campus, stuff like that. It was a nice experience to do that with her and see what her career and school life was like at USC, you know?” Nasrollahy said.
For any students wanting to pursue a creative career path, Glythe says, “Always believe in yourself. People might try and push you in certain directions. I think it’s important to adapt and evolve, but at the same time, stay true to who you are and your morals and values. If it doesn’t feel right, it’s probably not right.”
Andrea Glythe , 29, of Los Angeles poses at LAAMP on Tuesday Nov. 11. Glythe said, “I used to be a professional downhill skier, so there’s a lot of adrenaline. You’re uncomfortable a lot. And I think taking that kind of leap and moving to the U.S. by myself… I knew I wanted to go to USC or Columbia, and everyone was like, well I don’t think it’s gonna happen.” Gregg Hawthorne | The Corsair
Sofia Kieser| Copy Editor
Illustration by Jenna Tibby
As Tiktok reshapes the path to fame, the 2026 Best New Artist category highlights the tension between virality and artistry within the music industry.
The
2026 Grammys’ Best New Artist Category is feeling more like a scroll through your TikTok “For You” page than ever before. When the Recording Academy announced the nominees for best new artist — Olivia Dean, KATSEYE, The Marías, Addison Rae, Sombr, Leon Thomas, Alex Warren and Lola Young — it was a bold indicator that the Grammy pipeline now runs straight through TikTok. In a world where 15-second clips can launch a career, the Grammys are acknowledging that virality now matters just as much as talent.
Although they were both a part of the TikTok “Hype House”, Addison Rae and Alex Warren represent two sides of the TikTok-to-Grammy pipeline. Rae, who cultivated her following through her viral dance videos, leveraged that success by releasing her debut album “Addison,” which includes her hit tracks “Diet Pepsi” and “Fame is a Gun.” Her success shows how social media influence, when used intentionally, can turn into mainstream music success.
Warren, on the other hand, achieved massive online success with his song “Ordinary,” which went viral on TikTok and dominated the charts, but the rest of his music has barely made a ripple, revealing the difference between hype and longevity as an artist. One viral song can make someone famous overnight, but it also can expose a thin foundation without a full and cohesive album supporting it which Warren fell flat on.
Both artists rely on social media to fuel their music careers, but in my view, Rae made the smarter pivot. She rebranded herself with intention from Tiktok influencer to a credible pop artist, while Warren’s strategy seems to depend on lightning striking twice, which almost never works. TikTok may be powerful, but it isn’t a substitute for artistic range.
This divide shows up across the best new artist lineup. KATSEYE, a global girl group who only debuted in June of 2024, exploded online after releasing their first single “Touch,” and more recently with dance trends being created to some of their songs like “Gnarly” and “Gabriella.” Similarly, Sombr’s “back to friends” and “12 to 12” have become popular TikTok sounds to use for breakup videos and movie clip edits. These artists represent TikTok’s fast, algorithm-driven rise, where virality can happen before an artist fully develops.
In contrast, both Olivia Dean and The Marías
built followings through albums and touring before Tiktok boosted songs like Dean’s “Man I Need” and The Marías “No One Noticed.” Dean earned early praise for her debut studio album “Messy” in 2023, gaining support in the U.K. and E.U., and The Marías built a dedicated indie following through touring and albums like “CINEMA” and “Un Verano Sin Ti,” which were both beautiful and cohesive works that mixed dream pop and jazz with Latin influences. Rather than being the foundation of their success, TikTok acted as an amplifier for their music.
“The 2026 Best New Artist race reflects a shift in the way the Recording Academy picks their nominees, showing that virality and artistry are now competing for the same spotlight.”
The platform’s impact is undeniable at this point. According to the 2023 TikTok Music Impact Report conducted by Luminate, TikTok users in the U.S. are 70% more likely to discover new music on Tiktok compared to the average user of other social media or short-form video platforms, and compared to average consumers, Tiktok users are significantly more likely to stream music. “Roughly 9 out of 10 TikTok users in each of the markets included in this study use at least one music streaming service,” states the report.
Sure, Tiktok is rewriting how hits form, but that doesn’t automatically make every viral artist award-worthy. In my opinion, the distinction between the algorithm era of music discovery and growth through craft and consistency matters, especially for an award meant to recognize long-term potential, not just short-term visibility.
So who should win? To me, Leon Thomas is a clear frontrunner as the only nominee in the Best New Artist category also nominated for album of the year, one of the Grammy’s “big
three” awards. Thomas, already an accomplished songwriter and producer, won a Grammy last year for best R&B song for “Snooze” with SZA which he co-produced. His album “Mutt” blends neo-soul, R&B and rock in a way that shows off his songwriting and vocal-range.
Most known for playing Andre on “Victorious,” Thomas’ first album “Genesis” was released in 2018. His longevity and critical acclaim in the music space prove that he’s surpassed his Nickelodeon days and is building a distinct artistic identity, making him my choice for best new artist. The one complaint I’ve seen across different comment sections and videos is that Thomas isn’t really a “new” artist, as he’s been writing and producing for some of the biggest names in the industry for well over a decade now, since he was a teenager.
On the Grammy’s website, the major requirements for Best New Artist are that “eligible artists must have achieved a breakthrough into the public consciousness and impacted the musical landscape during the year’s eligibility period,” and who also have completed a full album or five singles or tracks. When they say “new,” they don’t necessarily mean new to music, but that the music is new to the general public. I think changing the category name to “best breakthrough artist” would be more accurate to what qualifies an artist for the award.
Meanwhile, some of the year’s strongest new artists didn’t even make the cut for a nomination. Ravyn Lenae, whose single “Love Me Not” made waves across the charts and online, while Role Model has steadily built a fanbase through festival appearances and opening on tour for singer Gracie Abrams, who was nominated in the Best New Artist category in 2024.
From TikTok stars to full-fledged musicians, the 2026 Best New Artist race reflects a shift in the way the Recording Academy picks their nominees, showing that virality and artistry are now competing for the same spotlight. With the line between the two becoming increasingly blurred, the winner will say a lot about what the Recording Academy has chosen to prioritize. If the Grammys want to honor artists who will still matter five years from now, they should choose someone whose music holds up outside of a 15-second clip.
