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WHAT’S UP WESTSIDE ..................PAGE 2 ORGAN DONATION FACTS ............PAGE 3 LETTER TO THE EDITOR ..............PAGE 5 CRIMINALS CONVICTED ................PAGE 7 MYSTERY PHOTO ..........................PAGE 12
FRIDAY
03.11.16 Volume 15 Issue 99
@smdailypress
Santa Monica Daily Press
smdp.com
Mechur to run for SMMUSD board re-election Architect’s priorities include achievement gap closure, Malibu issues BY JEFFREY I. GOODMAN Daily Press Staff Writer
Ralph Mechur plans to campaign to keep his seat on the Santa Monica-Malibu Board of Education.
The architect and longtime Santa Monica resident, whose term expires in December, told the Daily Press last week that he intends to run for re-election. Mechur said he’s motivated by the local school district’s ongoing
attempts to close academic achievement gaps and its efforts to resolve issues surrounding the possible creation of a separate Malibu district. “I’m excited about the work we’re doing, providing equitable
services for all students,” he said. “I look forward to continuing to serve the community and our kids. ... I look forward to being able to continue to be part of the governance team to help this be a stronger district.”
Mechur, 66, is one of three school board members whose terms are up at the end of the calendar year, joining Jose Escarce and Maria Leon-Vazquez. The SEE ELECTION PAGE 8
BOYS BASKETBALL:
STEM-ing out over spring break
Stellar season ends for Samohi
Zaniac offers a unique way for kids to learn, play during school hiatus
Vikings fall in first round of CIF state tournament BY JEFFREY I. GOODMAN Daily Press Staff Writer
Courtesy photo
TECHNOLOGY: A Santa Monica facility is offering a tech themed spring break for students.
BY JENNIFER MAAS Daily Press Staff Writer
If your kid is going to be spending their spring break playing Minecraft they may as well be gaining something more out of it than expanding their imaginary world. Enter Zaniac, a company that offers STEM enrichment after-school programs and camps for kids in kindergarten through eighth grade. The organization aims to deliver a math and science experience that engages, motivates, and excites kids while
making their parents proud about providing them with a real academic advantage. The STEM-based learning program has a campus in Santa Monica that will be hosting spring break camps March 21 - April 1 to give students a chance to keep learning over their break, while still having fun. During the camps kids will do activities such as LEGO robotics, tinkering, 3D printing, computer programming and play the addictive
PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS HERE! Yes, in this very spot! Call for details (310) 458-7737
Morgan Genser
One of the best seasons in Santa Monica High boys basketball history has come to an end. The Vikings fell 64-60 to Los Angeles-Washington Prep in the first round of the CIF Division II state tournament Wednesday night on the road, a bitter finale for a sweet campaign. It was the first loss in nearly three months for Samohi, which days earlier had won a Southern Section championship in dramatic fashion. Those accolades were not lost on the players, several of whom took to Twitter after the defeat to reflect on a year in which they posted a 29-3 record, engineered a 24-game winning streak and captured the program’s second section title in four seasons. “No matter what this team will be my family forever,” star senior Jonah Mathews wrote. “Great season this year boys,” sophomore Rip Economou wrote. “Forever Champions,” junior Daniel Schrier added. Heading into the campaign, the Vikings appeared to be in trouble. They knew they would have to
LOSS: Santa Monica High School finished its season with a loss to Washington SEE STEM PAGE 8
Prep this week. Pictured is Jonah Mathews who helped Samohi finish the season with a record of 10-0 in league play and 29-3 overall.
Gary Limjap (310) 586-0339 In today’s real estate climate ...
Experience counts! garylimjap@gmail.com www.garylimjap.com
SEE BASKETBALL PAGE 9
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