The Samohi
02 March 8, 2023
SoCal winter storms Matilde Martinez-Navarrete News Editor
Southern California has experienced an unprecedented winter. After a series of rain storms in early January, an atmospheric river brought yet another record-breaking storm to California. Starting on Tuesday, February 20, cities across Southern California issued blizzard and flash-flood warnings, as well as high wind alerts, in anticipation of the storm. This was the first time the city of LA called for a blizzard warning since 1989, and it was the first time to happen in San Diego’s history. SoCal saw heavy precipitation going into the weekend of Feb. 25 and 26, which eased into scattered showers by the next week. On Thursday, February 22, parts of LA, Santa Monica and other surrounding cities like Pasadena and Long Beach were hit with a hail storm. That same day, snow began falling on elevations as low as 1,000 and 1,500 feet. The San Gabriel Mountains, which surround the LA Basin, were completely covered in it, with its highest peak amassing nearly eight feet of snow. On March 1, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in 13 counties, including Los Angeles. The excess precipitation has caused rockslides, landslides, flooded streets and rivers, delayed flights and closed interstate highways across the state, and thunderstorms along the coast prompted beach closures. Tens of thousands of homes have also been left
NEWS
without power. According to CNN, state officials estimate that the damages caused by this series of storms will amount to over $1 billion. The large amounts of rain have markedly improved California’s water reserves, but are still not enough to pull it out of its extreme drought. After drifting down to Southern California, the storm system moved into the Midwest. The Upper Midwest has also seen intense winter storms these past weeks, some of which will make their way into the Northeast, all while the mid-Atlantic and the Southeast are experiencing record high temperatures. This extreme weather is not limited to the United States. Australia is recovering from “once in a century” flooding while the Pacific nation of Vanuatu has declared a state of emergency after experiencing two cyclones and an earthquake in rapid succession. The American Meteorological Society released a report linking climate change to the increased severity of extreme climate events, which San José State University Meteorology and Climate Science Professor Alison Bridger says may ring true with the weather the world is seeing right now. “You can’t find exact fingerprints of climate change on one event, but when there are so many events not just in America but worldwide, it becomes very obvious that this is an impact of climate change,” Bridger said in an interview with NBC. thesamohistudentnewspaper@gmail.com
Avery Smith / Contributor
Some Samo families, like Avery Smith’s (’23), had hail in their backyards on February 22.
SMMUSD office moves next to Samo campus
Kira Bretsky / The Samohi
A conference room in the new District Office overlooks Samo’s football field.
Audrey Strauss Staff Writer
Samo’s district office was relocated on February 21 and is now next to the Hilton hotel, beside Samo’s football field. The move was intended to unite all district operations under one roof and to facilitate increased collaboration among the departments. “This opportunity provides students, the district and community with many benefits, and would bring the district office back to the civic center area, adjacent to our high school with the highest population of students in the entire district,“ Dr. Ben Drati, SMMUSD Superintendent at the time of the building purchase, said. The 31,000 square foot building, which includes two levels of underground parking, sits on district-owned land. It was purchased in 2020 for $21 million with money financed through bonds and restricted redevelopment funds, which can only be used for facility improvements, according to a statement issued by SMMUSD. The previous district headquarters, located at 1651 16th St. in Santa Monica, had less square footage and was split across multiple buildings on one block and generally scattered around a few cramped spaces. In addition to streamlined communications, the new building has provided a boost in morale. Jalynn Davis, senior office specialist in human resources, notes the office space is a better
work environment than the district office had before. “I’m just happy that we’re together now, all of the departments. It makes it feel more like a community, we can all see each other, communicate face to face, and of course— the space is beautiful,” Davis said. For students, the district office location switch was meant to have minimal effects on their lives. Students should rarely have reasons to be in the office, as it’s typically a place for employees and, if anything, parents. However, many students pay $160 monthly to park in the Hilton parking lot during school, which is underneath the office space. For that steep price, they should be able to assume they won’t run into any issues with parking, whether there’s a new office in the area or not. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case for students like Billie Waxler (’23). “The parking situation has definitely been affected. They want us to park in spots without SMMUSD signs, which significantly reduced the amount of parking spots available... We’re part of SMMUSD, so I don’t see the issue parking in a spot we payed for. We’ve also been told they’re going to “ticket us”, but they’re a private company with no legal baking on that… If they don’t want us to park in the lot, there needs to be other accessible options for student parking.” Waxler said. thesamohistudentnewspaper@gmail.com
Juniors to take SAT in late March after shipping delays Taylor Witt Staff Writer
The SAT is right around the corner, on March 22 all Samo juniors have the opportunity to take the exam free of charge. The SAT was initially scheduled for all juniors on March 1. However, the administration decided to move the date due to shipping delays. Lissete Bravo, M House Principal, typically handles all inquiries concerning the SAT. However, while on maternity leave, Gregg Pitts has been issued as Interim M House Principal. Pitts assures that Samo was ready to administer the exam however the shipping company wasn’t prepared. “Essentially we wanted to just make sure that everything was in place and ready.” Pitts said. “As a school site, we were ready and prepared to administer. We wanted to be sure that the materials would be here on time. There would have been some shipping delays and so I wanted to make sure that everything was here and
SAT in the North Gym. The caready to go.” The announcement of the orig- veat was that students were maninal SAT date was a surprise to dated to sign-up in order to take many juniors. The junior class the exam. Many students were was issued an email on Feb. 3 not aware that sign-ups were necinforming them that the SAT essary this year since historically, would be administered on March this was not the case.Typically, 1. With less than a month to pre- each year students are assigned pare, much of the junior class to a classroom where they take a s the SAT saw the date change and sign-ups are good news. E m m a line Thorpe (’24) claims that the change allowed her more time to properly pre p are for the exam. Art by Kira Bretsky not re“I am grateful that it moved, mainly so I can have quired. The change more time to study and cram for was not explicit to juniors so many missed the March exam it,” Thorpe said. In March of 2022, juniors were date. On Oct. 12 2022, freshman, offered the chance to take the
sophomores and juniors took the practice SAT. Typically, seniors also have an opportunity to take the SAT in October, however this year Samo decided that having a day of ‘senior activities’ was a better use of time. Much of the senior class was not aware of the change that occurred for the October SAT this year. So when there was no other date for seniors to take the SAT. So once again, the class was up in arms. March is a busy month for the entire study body. Starting March 6 Until the end of the month, students will be taking the CAASPP and spending two-hour long block periods. With all this testing, the SAT for juniors will be the final step in major testing for a while. While some may see it as prepa-
ration for the SAT, the CAASPP is not timed, unlike the SAT. According to Forbes, 1,835 colleges and universities in the United States are offering testing blind admissions to students, like the UCs, or they are omitting test scores altogether. Samo college counselor Ernesto Flores states that while many schools are doing away with mandatory submission on SAT scores, those that still recommend submitting scores fluctuate the pool of applicants’ scores across the nation. “We really have ambitious students that are applying all over the country and there are some schools out there that are test optional.” Flores said. “Meaning that if a student submits their test score, it can be considered a part of the admission evaluation process. Since the pandemic and because many schools are doing away with the SAT and ACT, the reported scores for SAT and ACT that are test-optional, those schools are pretty high.”
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News
The Samohi March 8, 2023 03
Legado Latino club leaves its legacy at Samo tin (’23), and In addition to Legado Latino’s fundDuring her acceptance speech, Mireother members raising success, Mireles-Toumayan was les-Toumayan thanked the PYFC and raised awareness recognized by the Pico Youth and Fami- emphasized the importance of Latino for their fund- ly Center last month. The PYFC award- representation in the educational world. raiser by speaking ed Mireles-Toumayan with the Hope & In addition to thanking the Latino comin their classes, Unity Education Leadership Award at munity, Mireles-Toumayan also thanked putting up flyers their 14th Annual Hope & Unity Awards the club members of Legado Latino, and telling every- Gala for her efforts and help in the Lati- some of whom were present at the cerno community. emony. one they knew. “The most exciting thing about this is “When I was recognized, I asked the “It was an inspiring expe- that the students can see my work and available Legado Latino students to be rience, actual- the things I do,” Mireles-Toumayan with me because it’s not just an award for ly being able to said. “Despite my personal responsibil- me, it’s an award for us all,” Mireles-Toumake an impact ities, which I have as a mother, there is mayan said. and actively help still time to help humanity and spread a thesamohistudentnewspaper@gmail.com make [the chil- beautiful and positive conscience in my drens’] Christmas students,” Mireles-Toumayan said. something to get excited for,” Martin said. “This event has formed a Vicente Martin / Contributor powerful founVolunteers loaded boxes filled with clothes, toys and other items onto a car dation for the and a van to take to the Mexican border, where they donated them to type of legamigrant children held in detention centers. cy we want to leave behind for future years… and Natalie Gazzana strengthen the image of the Latino Staff Writer community here at Samo.” According to Dr. Guadalupe MireLegado Latino, a club focused on empowering the Latino students of Samo les-Toumayan, the club advisor and a and promoting cultural diversity, made Spanish teacher at Samo, their efforts local news after organizing a success- were fulfilling for both the young chilful fundraiser. The club campaigned dren and the students. “The most important thing about for Samo and its community to donate clothes, toys and other items to migrant this was not only that the children feel children in need at the Mexican border, good and to be able to see their happy which were detained at detention cen- faces when we open their presents, but Vicente Martin / Contributor ters. They successfully raised and sent to be able to create awareness within Legado Latino succesfully solicited over 200 boxes worth of donations for migrant children in need. the students and for them to acknowlover 200 boxes of donations to the chiledge the opportunities that they have,” Members raised awareness for their cause by speaking about it in their classes, putting up flyers and dren during the holiday season. talking about it to everyone they knew. The club’s vice president, Vicente Mar- Mireles-Toumayan said.
El club Legado Latino deja su legado en Samo
como para los es- al PYFC y enfatizó la importancia de tudiantes. la representación Latina en el mundo “Lo más impor- educativo. Además de dar gracias a la tante de esto fue no comunidad Latina, Mireles-Toumayan solo que [los niños] también agradeció a los miembros de se sientan bien y Legado Latino, algunos de los cuales ver [sus] caritas fe- atendieron la ceremonia. lices cuando abri“Al reconocerme, yo pedí que estuviermos los paquetes, si an conmigo los estudiantes que podían no es saber que los de Legado Latino, porque no es un estudiantes están reconocimiento para mí, es para todos creando conciencia nosotros,” Mireles-Toumayan dijo. y están viendo de thesamohistudentnewspaper@gmail.com que tal vez ‘yo tengo todas estas posibilidades,” Mireles-Toumayan dijo. Además del éxito de Legado Latino, M i re l e s - Tou Vicente Martin / Contributor mayan fue (De izquierda a derecha) Celeste Espinoza-Velasquez (’23), Estella S.M. Toumayan, Monica Salazar-Jimenez, William Avila, la reconocida Dra. Mireles-Toumayan, Vicente Martin (’23), Paula Cortes Hernandez (’23), Shelsie Vasquez (’23), Liam MacMahon (’24), por el Centro Mark Marin y Cesar Rocha hablan delante de una audiencia en el PYFC después de que la Dra. fue reconocida con el PreJuvenil y Famio de Liderazgo Educativo “Hope & Unity.” miliar de Pico (PYFC por sus El copresidente del club, Vicente MarNatalie Gazzana Staff Writer tin (’23), y otros miembros crearon con- siglas en inglés) el mes pasado. El ciencia para su recaudación de fondos PYFC le otorgó el Premio de LidTranslated by Matilde Martinez-Navarrete anunciándola en sus clases, poniendo erazgo Educativo en su decimocNews Editor volantes y hablando de ella a todos sus uarta Gala de Esperanza y Unidad por sus esfuerzos y ayuda para la conocidos. Legado Latino, un club enfocado en “Fue una experiencia inspiradora, en comunidad Latina. “Lo más emocionante es que los empoderar a los estudiantes latinos de realidad poder tener un impacto y ayuSamo y promover la diversidad cultural, dar a hacer que la Navidad de los niños estudiantes puedan ver el trabajo y apareció en las noticias locales después sea algo divertido,” Martin dijo. “Este las cosas que hago,” Mireles-Toude organizar una recaudación de fondos evento ha formado una base poderosa mayan dijo. “A pesar de [mis] reexitosa. El club hizo campaña para que para el tipo de legado que queremos de- sponsabilidades personales, como Samo y su comunidad donaran ropa, jar para los próximos años… y fortalece [las] que tengo como mamá, aún juguetes y otras cosas a niños migrantes la imagen de la comunidad latina aquí en hay tiempo para aportar a la humanidad y crear una conciencia necesitados en la frontera mexicana, los Samo.” Vicente Martin / Contributor cuales estaban detenidos en centros de Segun la Dra. Guadalupe Mireles-Tou- positiva y bonita en mis estudiLiam MacMahon (’24) (izquierda) y Cesar Rocha detención. Recaudaron y enviaron más mayan, asesora del club y maestra de es- antes.” (derecha) celebran a la Dra. Mireles-Toumayan después Durante su discurso de aceptade 200 cajas de donaciones a los niños pañol en Samo, sus esfuerzos fueron satde que recibió su reconocimiento “Hope & Unity” en durante la época navideña. isfactorios tanto para los niños pequeños ción, Mireles-Toumayan agradeció el PYFC.
The Samohi
04 March 8, 2022
News
ADHD medication shortage enters fifth month Sofia Hume Staff Writer
As an Adderall shortage continues for what is now a fifth month, students who rely on the medication to manage their attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are faced with many difficulties. With around six million children in America alone diagnosed with ADHD, finding few, if any at all, available alternatives to the Adderall medication has become nearly impossible. Students with ADHD are struggling more than ever to perform to the best of their ability in school. Whether it be having difficulties managing school work, an after school job or one’s performance in their sport, not having access to Adderall as a student with ADHD makes daily life significantly more challenging and time consuming. Lilly Ryf (’23), a Samo student diagnosed
with ADHD, describes her experiences during the Adderall shortage. “Yes, there was a month period where I went without taking it because they didn’t have any at the pharmacy that I go to,” Ryf said. Ryf is not alone in this experience. According to NBC News, many people in need of the medication haven’t been able to gain access to it since October of last year. NBC News writer Caroline Hopkins explains that the shortage is related to the large increase in the drug being prescribed. “In recent years, ADHD medication prescriptions have risen more than the drug companies or government agencies predicted,” Hopkins said. “Demand forecasts based on historical data couldn’t predict the sharp rise in ADHD diagnoses during the pandemic.” Ryf also says how during that month period she went without taking the medication, it was harder to manage her academic life. “It takes me longer to do my work, and understand my work. It’s frustrating whenever I’m not on it,” Ryf said. Not knowing when she will next need to refill her prescription, the likelihood of Ryf
being able to get access to it immediately is not very likely. Due to the FDA and Drug Enforcement Administration limiting how many pills a pharmacy can dispense at once, it is possible that the shortage will continue for months to come. Though there does not seem to be any solutions to the shortage as of right now, many are petitioning the FDA and DEA to better respond to the shortage, pushing the government to better address the issue.
Art by Nori Quist
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President Biden declares end to COVID-19 emergency
Kira Bretsky / The Samohi
Samo stopped requiring masks for the 2022-2023 school year.
Olivia Stephansen Staff Writer
On January 30, President Joseph R. Biden declared that the COVID-19 emergency would come to an end on May 11 because it is no longer a top five killer in the US. Similarly, California’s COVID-19 emergency expired on February 28. The end of the U.S. emergency will affect around eight
percent of Americans with fewer options for COVID-19 care. Around 15 million people could be dropped from Medicare when the emergency ends. Americans can access many things for free, like COVID- 19 treatment and testing. However, when the emergency ends, treatments people can easily use at home may come at
a cost. Samo has a lot of staff and resources ensuring the safety of students with COVID-19. Currently, COVID-19 tests are available at Samo that any student can take. Samo Nurse Erin DeTura goes in deeper to what would change once the COVID-19 emergency ends. “If we stop getting access to COVID tests
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The Samohi is a monthly newspaper by, for and about Santa Monica High School students. Our goal is to empower the student body through information. We do not represent the views of the administration or staff. We do not endorse advertisements placed in our paper.
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it will be hard to make sure students on campus are staying healthy and monitor that. The end of the COVID emergency could change what resources we have,” DeTura said. Vaccinations for COVID-19 will still be available and accessible for people with private insurance or Medicare coverage. Pfizer and Moderna have announced that their prices for a COVID-19 dose would likely be between $110 and $130 for people who don’t have insurance. A st atement released by the White House clarifies what these coming weeks hold for Americans. “To be clear, continuation of these emergency declarations until May 11 does not impose any restriction at all on individual conduct with regard to COVID-19,” the White House statement said. “They do not impose mask mandates or vaccine mandates. They do not restrict school or business operations. They do not require the Kira Bretsky / The Samohi use of any medicines or tests in response Stickers outside Michigan Gate mark spots six feet to cases of COVID-19.” thesamohistudentnewspaper@gmail.com
apart despite lifted social distancing regulations.
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Sienna Bevan, Violeta Buitrago, Addison Burns, Natalie Gazzana, Jewel Greene, Sofia Hume, Malia Kabwe, Ryan Kim, Declan Ney, Aaron Smollins, Olivia Stephansen, Audrey Strauss, Amilia Tejada, Cleo Topp, Taylor Witt, Emi Yamashiro-Hergert
OPINION
The Samohi march 8, 2023 05
Does artificial intelligence benefit students?
NO
YES Chat.gpt.com AI website
DISCLAIMER: this article was written by AI website Chat.gpt, following the prompt “write me a 500 word article about the benefits of artificial intelligence in schools.” AI (Artificial Intelligence) websites have become increasingly popular among students due to the many benefits they offer. These websites leverage advanced algorithms and machine learning techniques to provide personalized and efficient solutions to students’ needs. In this essay, I will outline some of the reasons why AI websites are beneficial to students. One of the primary benefits of AI websites is that they offer personalized learning experiences to students. Unlike traditional websites that present a static set of content to all users, AI websites use data analytics and machine learning algorithms to analyze students’ learning patterns and customize their learning experiences accordingly. By using these techniques, AI websites can identify areas where a student might be struggling and recommend resources or courses to help them improve. Moreover, these websites can also recommend content based on a student’s learning style, interests, and goals, making the learning experience more engaging and effective. Another benefit of AI websites is that they offer real-time feedback to students. Traditional websites might require students to submit their work for review, which can take time and might not be available outside of regular business hours. In contrast, AI websites can offer immediate feedback to students, letting them know if they are on the right track or if they need to focus on certain areas. This immediate feedback can be particularly helpful for students who are struggling with a particular concept or subject. AI websites also help students stay organized and manage their time more effectively. These websites can track a student’s progress through a course or curriculum, reminding them of upcoming deadlines and providing a clear overview of what they
need to accomplish each week. This can help students stay on track and avoid falling behind on their coursework. In addition, AI websites can provide access to a wealth of educational resources that might not be available elsewhere. For example, some AI websites offer access to virtual libraries, with thousands of academic journals, books, and research papers. These resources can help students deepen their understanding of a subject and develop a more comprehensive understanding of their field of study. Finally, AI websites can offer a level of c o nv e n i e n c e that traditional educational resources cannot match. For example, students can access these websites from anywhere with an internet connection, making it easy to study on-the-go. Moreover, many AI websites offer mobile apps, which can provide an even more convenient learning experience. Students can study at their own pace, and they can fit their studies around their other commitments, such as work or family obligations. In conclusion, AI websites are beneficial to students for several reasons. They offer personalized learning experiences, real-time feedback, help with organization and time management, access to a wide range of educational resources, and unparalleled convenience. As the technology continues to improve and evolve, we can expect AI websites to become even more integral to the educational experience, helping students of all ages and backgrounds achieve their goals.
Nika Nazarizadeh Staff Writer
The recent emergence and popularity of artificial intelligence websites, or AI, has made high school a walk in the park for a plethora of students. ChatGPT, Scribe and Landbot.io, among other AI sites, seem to have unlimited potential; these sites can compose essays piled with research and precisely checked grammar, conduct research for a paper, detect and disguise plagiarism, or find the answer to any academic question they may have, to name just a few of the possibilities of AI. Despite the heavy usage of these AI applications, it is quite clear that these services are taking away valuable learning opportunities from students. Our education system is built upon the basis that students learn concepts in the classroom, applying and practicing these skills on homework assignments, class activities and more. When students use these sites, for example, to finish their AP Calculus homework or to write an analysis of Hamlet, students don’t even get a chance to apply what they learned in the classroom. This sets the precedent for repeated failure, leaving the student not only unable to fully grasp a concept, but creating a mentality that they are academically incapable, making them feel inadequate in their learning space. AP Language Composition teacher Nathan Fulcher wants students to understand that for AI to be
beneficial to students, it can’t be misused. “It can be used as a tool to supplement, but not replace,” Fulcher said. In order for students to truly academically thrive, they must face trial and error. AI websites give students a ‘way out’ of putting in this hard work, andt though appealing at first, students who take this route will almost never have the equal comprehension of someone who was creating the work on their own. Students need to have a space to form their own ideas and think for themselves, which is exactly what artificial intelligence websites are taking from high schoolers around the world. Many students, like Franklin Daley (’23) have thrived in their academic careers by composing their own work. “Sites like Chat GPT are really detrimental resources for students to use. It deprives them of an opportunity to learn every time they write. For me, practicing my writing has helped me become better with sentence structure and spelling words,” Daley said. Some may argue that students can use these websites to “learn backwards” and troubleshoot problems they don’t understand or gain knowledgeable writing tactics from the autogenerated essay that the site has provided them with. However, knowing the average high school student, it is quite clear that the risks of students abusing AI websites are far more likely than students using these websites as a learning tool. The idea of “learning backwards” encourages students to copy down answers and does not engrave the line of reasoning into their heads as well as the traditional learning process. And besides, Samo provides their students with an enormous array of resources like teacher office hours, afterschool/lunch support and drop-in peer tutoring. So are students really in desperate need of another resource? Art by Audrey Strauss
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Let’s Tik-Talk about modern music Sienna Bevan Staff Writer
If you ever turn the radio to a pop station, say KISS FM for example, it may seem like every single song has previously trended on TikTok at some point. Songs blow up regularly, and then a week later, it’s the sped-up or slowed-down version of it. Music is being made to fit into an increasingly trend-based society—one second something’s in and the next it’s history. Musicians are taking advantage of social media apps such as TikTok to spread their music in hopes that their songs will blow up. While promoting music is important, we have to draw the line between attempting to gain publicity and solely releasing music for popularity. With TikTok, all you really need is a short
snippet of one song to be catchy in order to gain recognition. As a result, musicians are less focused on making a solid album rather than a single hit song. We have to ask the question, does catchiness equate to quality? If musicians are only making music based on current trends, their songs aren’t likely to remain popular in the long-run. Catchiness will eventually fade to reveal low-effort production and incredibly mediocre song-writing. People are always eager to move on to the next best thing, meaning this never-ending cycle of chasing trends will just continue. The challenge for many is disassociating certain songs from TikTok when listening to them normally. In “Anti-Hero,” a song featured on Taylor Swift’s recent album Midnights, the line “It’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me” immediately gained popularity on social media. Within no time, that part of the song began trending on TikTok until it was almost impossible to scroll without hearing it. Catchy lines like these are recognized as “TikTokable”, and therefore marketable, taking
away from the quality of the overall song. These sounds or lines from songs are overused to the point where it isn’t music anymore, but merely a trend. While the famous explore page songs, for example “Unholy” by Sam Smith and “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus, usually come to mind when we think of “TikTok music”, there is so much more than that. The immense talent on TikTok is overshadowed by mainstream music made popular by influencers— whether that means music popularized by them or literally made by them. A greater emphasis has been put on marketability, so musicians with smaller followings, those who really are trying to make music and promote themselves, face the consequences. Music is supposed to be a form of expression, giving life to the emotions we feel everyday. It should be unique and original, not a gateway to popularity. TikTok has led to extreme
commercialization in the music industry, paving the way for music that won’t last. Ultimately, music is suffering as a result of society being so trend-focused, valuing songs solely for their ability to gain fame.
Art by Audrey Strauss
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The Samohi
06 March 8, 2023
Opinion
African-American history is American history
Jewel Greene Staff Writer
African American history is on trial in America again. Florida governor, Ron DeSantis, has begun raising the questions that we all thought were answered during the 1960s civil rights movement. Is African American history even considered American history? DeSantis is trying to get rid of the Advanced Placement (AP) African-American studies course, claiming that it relates to critical race theory, but African American history does not have anything to do with critical race theory. Critical race theory is a legal academic position that argues that almost every aspect of American society has been impacted by race– it asserts that every major American institution was structured to favor white Americans and disfavor persons of color. However, this is not the substance or mission of the AP African American studies curriculum. The College Board unveiled the official curriculum for its new AP African American course in early February. Unfortunately, it was heavily edited to remove much of the factual content that had incensed DeSantis and other conservatives who claim that it teaches critical race theory. Segments of the US Republican Party have used the very narrow legal doctrine of critical race theory to attack basic historical facts relative to the African American experience in America. The whole concept of CRT is to impart America with a way to understand the importance of racism, even though these historical facts can be disturbing (i.e. the brutality of chattel slavery). For example, great authors like Toni Morrison and James Baldwin, who have been seminal authors in public school libraries for years, have been removed from their shelves. These acts are more in line with censorship similar to totalitarian governments banning books, than it is the protection of the academic curriculums for American students against harmful content. DeSantis, in line with many of his peers’ ideology, has embarked on a campaign to destroy any evidence of what he considers to be “woke” doctrine in public policy and education. Politically, he is catering to a Republican base that has proven to be intolerant, anti-immigrant and embracing beliefs like the replacement theory, which argues that white Americans are losing their numeric majority in this country and thus “power.” Summarily, these actions are un-American because they are antithetical to American ideals of liberty. The American concept of “e pluribus unum,” meaning “out of many one”, can only be achieved when we learn and respect the history of each other. You can not be “one” if you can not respect the many. You have to be tolerant in learning everyone’s history and their value to the American story. There is not just one version of the American story. Nor should there be. Moreover, what DeSantis is arguing is against the constitutional principle of freedom of speech. Samo’s Black Student Union president, Makhi Franklin (’23), disagrees with DeSantis.
“Black people have had an immense impact on almost any facet of modern culture in the United States. You can’t tell the story of our country without black people. So to say such a course ‘lacks’ educational value is a testament to his ignorance, and underlying racism,” Franklin said. Hiding the truth will perpetuate ignorance and modifying AP African American studies will serve as a detriment to all students and the black community. Students who thrive for academic excellence lean towards more rigorous courses to greater knowledge and understanding. So removing the class as an AP course, is essentially making those who are eager to learn, less inclined to pick the course. This agenda from DeSantis speaks his desire to bury our rich history and
Susan Anne Ridley Sedgewick / Public Domain
Short history lesson: Elizabeth Freeman, born Mumbett, a slave in 1942, in Upstate New York, sued for her freedom under the Mssachusetts Constitution of 1780. She won and went back to work for the family that had originally owned her until she died in 1829.
culture. Even one of our founding fathers, James Madison warned against DeSantis’ kind of thinking when he stated that “education is the true foundation of civil liberty.” This means essentially, through education is where you are able to truly grasp the issues that inform our democracy and come to a fuller understanding about how our history informs our present. In short, the cure for racism in our society is more education not less. How else will we avoid another generation of bigotry and intolerance in our society? Our nation is at a crossroads, do we want to teach our true history or do we want propaganda in our school system? For example, teaching children that the civil war was not entirely based on the continuation of slavery in America, is historically baseless and intellectually dishonest. “Florida’s Department of Education has rejected an Ad-
vanced Placement course covering African American studies… saying the class indoctrinates students to ‘a political agenda,’” NPR News writer Juliana Kim said. It is clear DeSantis does not want a progressive nation, he doesn’t want to teach people the truth he wants to suppress knowledge about historical truths. What he saying about AP African American Studies is more of a political agenda than the curriculum. Teaching historically accurate content is not political but blocking this type of lesson plan to hide the truth from people is political and clearly propaganda. CNN writer, Tina Burnside, elaborated further on this in an article. “The College Board’s statement comes after the Florida Education Department asserted the AP African American Studies course ‘lacks educational value; and violates state law amid a national debate over how topics like racism and history are taught in public schools. Under DeSantis, Florida has banned the teaching of critical race theory and passed new legislation barring instruction that suggests anyone is privileged or oppressed based on their race or skin color,” Burnside said. Modifying African American history from the AP board is detrimental and meritless and DeSantis’ position on why he chooses to do this is racist as he denies the valuable lessons that can be taught in school to inform and educate students on America history. In fact, this is why racism persists, because we continue to promote a version of history that diminishes one group and uplifts another and ignores the fact that his can perpetuate a culture that implicitly devalues Black life. DeSantis is essentially saying that it’s not a valid advanced placement study because it doesn’t teach the past of “our’’ America. These type of platforms are trying to erase Black history because it is empowering and promotes knowledge and information to recognize the errors of our past. The AP African American Studies course teaches Americans the necessary truth so they will not succumb to stereotypes and false narrative about communities that look different than theirs. So why is it that Desantis sees it as “lacking” educational value? Is Black history not valuable history? Is what African-Americans went through not educational enough to be taught? Did African Americans not go through the worst conditions in America, which continues to have lingering impacts today? The AP African American course teaches Americans the truth and the truth will make people make different decisions about their lives and he doesnt want that to happen. He doesn’t want progress. “Black history is American history. Black culture is American culture. The country wouldn’t be successful without black people, monuments wouldn’t be built, music and entertainment would’ve been underdeveloped. Black people are the blueprint for so much in America and Black history deserves a deep dive and analysis of how we got to where we are today,” Kara Best (’24) said. thesamohistudentewspaper@gmail.com
Walking out on a ledge of change Cleo Topp Staff Writer
Over the years, politics and the way we express ourselves within the democracy we call the American political system has been subject to change in positions, perspectives, and voices that reflect the changing and evolving society. These voices, from overreaching presidents to the amplification of a censored victim have invoked change all over the world, inspiring others to do so as well. While it may seem that you can only change society when you have political power, many teenagers and students have found their place in activism and seen how their voices are able to incite
Kira Bretsky / The Samohi
Joselyn Bravo (’23) pictured protesting in a walkout for National Gun Violence Day. on June 3rd, 2022.
change in an even bigger way. Change is to make something different or replace it with something else, but the goal of activism is often applied on a different scale by aiming to raise awareness and incite other people to enact the changes that they themselves cannot. To capture the attention of those with the ability to cause change, many students have taken to walkouts, gathering in protest and an aim to encourage others to follow the change that they can make. These walkouts have had varied levels of results, but one thing ties them together in their positive results and students have been able to organize and enact on their application of change. For instance, last year a student walkout was organized at Samo to protest gun violence. Not only were the students able to organize a walkout with speakers, leaders, and students, but they also got eligible high schoolers registered to vote in order to create more change. Shown in their powerful use of free speech and autonomy and ability to allow students to speak out in a world filled with so many overlapping voices, the sentiment of walkouts are powerful and often speak on heavy topics that are harder to be addressed alone. However, this sentiment is often disregarded, not by the targeted audience, but by the students themselves. Because walkouts use walking out of schools to emphasize their point, it provides students with the opportunity to leave school and go home early without actually participating in a rally for change. However, for the change walkouts are able to incite, a few ditchers is a small price. While walkouts can be disrespected, so can all forms of activism. As New York Times articles giving more information on a topic are shared, change.org petitions are created to rally behind a new decision, and reposts to spread
Kira Bretsky / The Samohi
Students protesting pictured left to right: Sadie Lovett (’23), Tali Chase (’23) and Emily Blustajin (’23).
awareness on an issue in a real sense populate instagram stories, a line is drawn between real activism and performative activism. Changing someone’s actions from performative activism into real activism, despite taking effort, is not impossible, and along the way it may garner the interest and attention of others. But who is really going to listen to a bunch of teenagers and educators? Being the next generation and future leaders and adults of society, our voices are even more important and relevant to use as we will face the effects of changes we do or don’t create in society today. We have the power to change the society we want to see, and It is so important to use your voice, actions, and surrounding peers as it is one of the most impactful ways to create change and communicate to your community what change is desired to create a changed society that reflects the true will of the people. thesamohistudentewspaper@gmail.com
The Samohi March 8, 2023
Student Life
07
Blast from the past: A spotlight on Samo in the Sixties Sofia Hume Established in 1891, Samo has proudly worn the colors blue and gold for around 13
towards our school’s alumni for the answers, interviewing my grandmother, Cindy Tampos (’69), and my grandfather Jeff Kaufman (’69). Tampos and Kaufman met at Samo and eventually married. Remaining life-long friends, they shared their fond memories of their time at Samo.
Jeff Kaufman (’69)
Cindy Tampos (’69)
Now 53 years later, Jeff Kaufman is still living in Santa Monica with a beautiful view of the ocean. For work, he owns the Herman Miller Retail Store in Beverly Hills, managing budget, marketing, and showroom related business for nearly 33 years. The longstanding members of Santa Monica,
Cindy Tampos now living in Brentwood, works as a sales associate at a petite gift and home decor shop. Sharing three children and nine grandchildren with Jeff Kaufman, since graduating from SAMO she has also been quite occupied with being an amazing grandmother.
Staff Writer
decades, being an important part of Santa Monica, California’s history. But before the modern buildings, Olympic sized swimming pool, and student population of nearly 3000, what would attending Samo have been like? In answering these questions, I look
like Kaufman are the people who make this community special.
Sofia Hume: What do you remember of your time at Samo, or being a teenager in the 60’s?
Sofia Hume: What clubs, sports, and/or activities did you participate in at Samo?
SH: Do you remember any of your friends at Samo getting drafted?
Jeff Kaufman: I played football my sophomore year, but I didn’t get off on a great start with the football coaches, because you were supposed to spend half the summer training in Santa Monica. But of course I didn’t do that.
JK: Yes, well when you were in school you weren’t allowed to be drafted.
Cindy Tampos: Well the second I turned 16 I got my drivers license, and when I first got my car, gas, gasoline, was 33 cents a gallon.
SH: So it was after graduation that everyone-
SH: Woah.
JK: After graduation you got a piece of paper sent to you from the government. If you had a 200 number that meant there was no way you were getting drafted, but if you had a number one, or two, or three, just 30 and below. That meant if you weren’t in school you were going to the jungle in Vietnam.
CT: Yeah, 33 cents a gallon. Does anyone go to baycities for lunch?
SH/JK: (laughter) JK: But yeah, I played football my senior year, JV basketball my junior year, and volleyball my senior year. But all through Samo I lived on the beach in Malibu and constantly played beach volleyball.
SH: And what was your number?
SH: Did you participate in any clubs at Samo?
JK: Three.
JK: Absolutely not, you would never find me in a club.
SH/JK: (Laughter)
SH/JK: (Laughter) JK: But that’s kinda not true because I did photography.
JK: Politics, Vietnam, the drugs and the hippies, the wild bands, it was just a crazy time. One after the other, the 60’s were just crazy.
SH: Yeah they’ll order it during fourth period and then go pick it up. CT: Well we always walked, and sandwiches were 50 cents.
SH: Do you have any crazy memories regarding pop culture of the 60’s? CT: Oh yeah, I remember as if it were last night. When I was at John Adams, I think I was in 8th grade at the time, and at the Santa Monica civic auditorium there was rumor and then confirmation of something called the “TAMI Show”. It was going to be one or two nights in a row with different artists. SH: Oh cool.
CT: Uh huh, yeah, 50 cents. SH: Wow.
SH: What! Are you kidding me!?
CT: Also, on really really hot days at school, because we didn’t have air conditioning or anything at SAMO. Our teacher for whatever class it was would take us to the beach, and we would just have class on the sand.
CT: No, it was crazy. Our voices were hoarse. I don’t remember how we got the tickets but we were there.
SH: Are you kidding me?!
JK: Definitely photography, I started right away in my sophomore year and I became really close to Fred Perucker, who was the photography teacher. I adored him, and he adored me, and I flourished as a photographer with him. So for my senior year I’d go in there for my free period and help teach his kids.
CT: No, we would walk by A&W rootebeer (A diner that was open at the time), and our teacher would teach our class in the sand. SH: That’s so cool. What clubs or extracurricular activities did you participate in at school? CT: Well, at John Adams I was 7th, 8th, and 9th grade class president, I was most popular, and best dressed.
SH: Did you continue to be friends with anyone from Samo after graduation?
SH: What significant worldly events occurred when you attended Samo?
CT: Oh yeah, and Jeff [Kaufman] and I met at SAMO.
CT: Just a sample of the people who performed there, James Brown, Marvin Gaye, The Rolling Stones, The Supremes, the Beach Boys.
SH: What!
SH: So you participated in the arts?
JK: Yeah, half a dozen. But I lived in Malibu so I’d be back home after school everyday.
SH: And your husband was...
SH/CT: (laughter) Jeff Kaufman / Contributor
Kaufman spent a great deal of time in high school surfing at the beach.
JK: Oh yeah well, being that age in the 60’s in general, made you very leary of the establishment. It was the first time there were really protests and riots.
CT: But no I didn’t participate in any clubs or extracurriculars at SAMO. SH: After SAMO did you continue to be friends with anyone from school? CT: Yes actually, my maid of honor was my best friend from Edison, and my bridesmaid was Laurie Kaufman (SAMO alumni (‘67).
Cindy Tampos / Contributer
Cindy Tampos’ yearbook photo from her senior year at Samo.
Moving across the dance floor and the decades: A look at prom through the years Cleo Topp Staff Writer
It’s spring semester and prom season is fast approaching. No matter the attire, from velvet dresses in the 30s to tea-length dresses in the 60s, to the current trend of fitted silk dresses, prom has been a long awaited event for many high school students. Samo’s proms look different than they did in the early 1910s, but even over 100 years later, the tradition of celebrating a year’s end with classmates and dressy attire remains the same.
Top left: Samo students at prom, 1913 Kathleen Faas / The Samohi
Top right: Samo students at prom, 2014 Martin Ledford / Contributor
Bottom left: Samo students before prom, 1916 Santa Monica Public Library / Contributor
Bottom right: Samo students before prom, 2018 Sakura Amano / The Samohi
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How to CE-O-pen your own business Jewel Greene Staff Writer
Starting a business is a goal many teenagers aspire to achieve. Although it may seem intimidating, the process is not as impossible as it may seem. There are a myriad of passions you can incorporate into your business, and with the application of a few techniques, you will be making a profit. If you are interested in starting a business, determining whether or not you want to start a product or service business is a great start. A product business sells objects, while a service business provides support or services to clients. For example, a hair salon business would be a service, while a knitting business is a product. Next, see how you can step into the market with original ideas and takes. Finding a business that you're passionate about and that inspires you is key. If you actually enjoy the goods or services you're promoting then people can see how the product or service may bring them joy as well.
To start an effective business you need a solid market plan. A market plan varies depending on the business, but it is a system that advertises your product to a niche client base on a consistent basis while also being cost efficient. Your marketing plan needs to be applied to a platform that your target audience uses or sees often to increase the conversation rate of sales. Platforms range from social media to ads in newspapers or magazines. Putting together a market analysis, which includes your target audience, their habits and your competition is a great idea in trying to keep a business up and running. As a business owner, one's mindset is a vital factor in the process. Three key characteristics to help with producing a successful business are being ambitious, determined and having a long term goal. It's important to stay patient and dedicated to your plan. After gathering the correct materials and building a solid marketing plan, consider advertising to attract your targeted audience. Us-
ing platforms such as Tik Tok or Instagram to promote your business allows for more people to be aware of your creations and take interest, which easily sets your company up for success. Samo entrepreneur Ivan Levant (’24) explained the marketing strategies that he used when launching his clothing brand Taiga. “We did a lot of cool advertising for our first drop, with a reel that amassed over 12 thousand views and a promotional photo shoot paired with a trailer I directed, edited and shot,” Levant said. Getting a business started is certainly a challenging feat, but with good motivation and a clear, precise plan, your entrepreneurial ambitions can soon become a reality. However, it takes one step at a time. Your business won't set off straightway, but with commitment and determination you are bound for success. thesamohistudentnewspaper@gmail.com
Get to know the faces behind Samo’s small businesses
Sienna Bevan Copy editor
TNT Bats - @tntbats Longtime baseball player and fan Theo Tobel (’23) began his bat-making business, TNT Bats, in hopes of giving back to the community. He woodworks baseball bats and sells them with the motto “Give a bat. Get a bat.” First starting in his garage during quarantine, he learned how to make bats through YouTube and trial and error. Using wood sourced from Maine, he then shapes, sands and finishes the bats himself. Tobel touches on the challenges
of growing his business. “I think that it has been a challenge to market my brand and differentiate my bats from others on the market. However, it’s a challenge I welcome because I find it extremely gratifying,” Tobel said. All of his profits go towards baseball bats for underserved Los Angeles Little Leaguers, and he has already supplied bats for two full teams.
Theo Tobel/ Contributor
Bitchin Beanies - @bitchin.beanies
Sienna Goetz/ Contributor
Samo Juniors Sienna Goetz (’24) and Josie Schwartz (’24) recently turned their love for crochet into a small business. Through their instagram account @bitchin.beanies, they sell handmade crochet beanies by individual requests. They are happy to learn new designs and patterns, which encourages customers to request anything for their beanies, no matter how unique. Goetz shares why having a small business is impactful to her. “We enjoy seeing people wearing something we’ve @nailedbyniicole/@winksla
Nicole Guzman/ Contributor
Senior Nicole Guzman (’23), like many, used the pandemic as an opportunity to explore her interests. She started her nail business around the start of Covid-19 in an effort to make her own money. After learning through YouTube, TikTok and friends, she made enough money to start her lash extension business. Through her instagram, customers can book appointments and request what they would like. She not only provides nail and lash services, but also hosts an online nail class to teach
made and designed. It’s cool to know that people like the things we’ve created and that we’ve turned a hobby of ours into something we can make money from,”Goetz said. They balance each other out well as business partners, each focusing on their strong suits. Aside from both crocheting beanies, Goetz usually handles the social side while Schwartz handles the business side. Ultimately, the most rewarding part of owning their business together is seeing how they have impacted the styles of other people.
people worldwide. Having owned her businesses for two years, she shares how they have impacted her. “I think time management and mental health is definitely the hardest part. Having my own businesses has taught me to take a lot of responsibility and deal with many people which are things that are important in the real world,” Guzman said. Nicole wants to continue her businesses after highschool, along with taking a cosmetology course at either Santa Monica College or Neihule in Los Angeles.
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Let’s get down to Business (Club) Nika Narizadeh Staff Writer
Have you ever had an interest in learning more about business or considered starting your own? If so, the Samo Business Club is an emerging organization where students can begin exploring the field of business. The club was first created in the spring of 2021 by Justin Green (’24) and Mason Arditi (’24). The main goals of the club are to give students the opportunity to learn financial literacy and how to invest so they will be fiscally-prepared to go into their post high school lives. Aside from holding their weekly club meetings, the business club board took the initiative of starting their own nonprofit organization, the Youth Entrepreneurship Association (YEA). YEA’s main purpose is to raise money to help upstart young business makers and do their part to help ensure those who are interested in creating a business have the resources they need to do so. The club has raised about $2,500 and provided $1,000 in funding to help kick-start
Cy Backen/ Contributor
The Business Club hosted a “Bring your Friend to Club Day“ event on March. 2 to recruit new members.
student-run businesses at Samo. The business club continues to enrich students through weekly meetings with interactive lesson plans. As co-founder of the Business Club, Arditi hoped to share his passion for business with other students. He believes that the club would benefit a wide range of students, not just students who are specifically interested in making a high school business. “I would recommend anyone who wants to learn how to handle their own finances, anyone who wants to be in control of their own money and anybody who is interested in creating their own business in the future. It doesn't have to be a big and scary thing. If you join the club you will realize that it's more fun and interactive than you think,” Arditi said. However, aside from businesses, Arditi strives to integrate lessons into his club that will prepare members for the real world. “In March we are starting a career readiness curriculum where students learn how to build a resume,
how to prepare for a job interview, as well as other aspects. We will be getting professionals to come in and help us teach. It’s going to be a great opportunity for everyone in the club,” Arditi said. Alongside Arditi, Green strives to spread information about business and expand their club. With the creation of their non profit organization, they have begun to make this possible. “Our new organization, the Youth Entrepreneurship Association, is meant to reach students outside of Samo so that they too can gain business knowledge. We want “YEA” to be a space for students across LA to come together and expand their businesses,”Green said. As Samo’s business club continues to expand and integrate more real life curriculum into their club, consider joining and learning more about what the club has to offer. For more information about the club, stop by their bi-weekly Thursday meetings in room I223. thesamohistudentnewspaper@gmail.com
All art by Kira Bretsky
thesamohistudentnewspaper@gmail.com
The Samohi
10 March 8, 2023
Student Life
Samo’s BSU hosts events to honor Black History Month Aaron Smollins Staff Writer
One of the largest and most active clubs at Samo is the Black Student Union, or BSU. During the month of February, BSU held an array of events and activities to honor Black History Month. BSU president Makhi Franklin (’23) touched on the importance of the activities that the club puts together.
@samohibsu / Contributor
Miles Price (‘26), Deacon Recsnik (‘26), and Xavier Seldon (‘26) in their team gear for sports day on Tuesday February 7th, the second day of BSU’s spirit week.
“It is no secret there are racial disparities on campus, causing many black students to feel as if they lack a voice. So it was especially important for us during black history month to have our presence be felt through a spirit week. We wanted to showcase different facets of our culture, and further the unity of the student body as a whole,” Franklin said. BSU held a spirit week from Feb. 6 to Feb. 10 and continued to hold other events throughout the month. Starting the week of Feb. 6, BSU’s student board collectively decided on the themes including Sports day, Put on your best 90’s outfit, Culture day and Blackout day. Shortly before Brooklyn Alexander / Contributor the spirit week, Samo students were BSU organized D Lo’s, Kitchen a Black owned food truck serving students food in the Innovagiven an oppurtinuty to learn about tion Quad on Febuary 10. an annual Talent Show held by the club dating years back. HBCUs. “Apollo Night is a Historical African American event “Many Historically Black colleges and universities come to showcase Black talent ranging from artists, to dancout to the LA Convention Center to give student’s inforers, singers, poets, and much more. Samohi BSU hosts a mation about their colleges, available scholarships, and even programs for those who don’t necessarily want to version of this talent show to showcase talent at school take the college path. There are trade programs available and give prizes to the winners. The proceeds go to BSU and even military staff giving out this type of informa- funding to help the club grow and have more meaningful tion. The expo gives students a chance to start their fu- events like these. We have family members, friends and ture and possibly even get scholarships and admission on staff come to watch the show and share these wonderful moments with the students,” said Alexander. the spot,” said Alexander. BSU’s events won’t slow down after the end of Black History Month. On March 24, they will hold Apollo Night,
HOTLB: What teachers have impacted seniors the most? Violeta Buitrago Staff Writer
As Samo seniors go through their last months of high school, they start to reflect on thelast three years and all of the good and bad moments and experiences. In some cases, the bond between a teacher and a student can completely alter the course of the student’s high school career. So let’s hear from four seniors on what teacher impacted them most throughout their high school career.
Dylan Bruce / Contributor
“My favorite teacher is Mr. Denis, because he is really helping with all the work I have to do and he is really understanding when I miss a test or an assignment. He is overall just a really great guy and I love having him as a teacher.” - Jamie Bruce (’23)
Georgia Press / Contributor
“Coach Hecht is my favorite teacher because he always sang Taylor Swift with me and helped me go from a C to a B in math.” -Georgia Press (’23)
Nika Nazarizadeh / The Samohi
“Mr. Aiello has been my favorite teacher because I’ve had him for all four years of high school and I’ve become more comfortable in his class than any of my other classes. Sometimes I’ll just go into his office and talk with him and Mr. Wang. Sorry to all my other teachers.” - Franklin Daley (’23)
JSA holds annual Debate Convention Grace Gyepes
Social Media Editor
On Saturday, February 25, in first floor Discovery, Junior State of America, a student run club centered around debate and political advocacy, held their annual Political Convention for Southern California. The convention, themed “Divisions and Discourse,” with debates centering around free speech and polarization, was led by Claire Kovac (’23) and Scarlett Tropea-Lester (’23). Kovac touched on the importance of political events such as the one that JSA held. “Especially as youth, I believe it’s really important for us to become politically engaged and be able to voice our opinions effectively,
so we wanted to provide a space for that through the debate convention, while bringing together a community of students that are passionate about national issues in a fun way,” Kovac said. Many students attended from both SAMO and Palisades High School, as well as students from schools across Southern California. The students met at 9am in order to hear a keynote presentation from keynote speaker Aurelia Friedman, senior staffter for U.S. Representative Ted Lieu. After a 45-minute speech and a fifteen minute question and answer session, students moved to second floor Discovery to begin debates which were monerated by
Kovac and Tropea-Lester. The debates began, ranged from topics such as, ‘should teachers be allowed to impose their opinions on their students?’ to ‘what words should be banned from the English Language?’ The student debated a variety of topics over the course of two hours. At the end of each topic, the best speaker was voted on and then announced. Kara Best (’24), Casper Holden (’24), and Kovac all won a Best Speaker Award for their debates. The convention also included an ctivism fair, with 8 different activism organizations made up of clubs from Samo and local organizations.
Samantha Flores / Contributor
“My favorite teacher is definitely Ms. Chapman. I had her coming out of COVID-19 and she was really compassionate and understanding about helping us readjust to regular school. I also really enjoyed her teaching style and the tasks she gave us, especially because they were group oriented.” - Amilia Tejada (’23)
Jolie Jurenka / Contributor
JSA Co-Presidents Claire Kovac (’23) and Scarlett Tropea Lester (’23) presented the Best Speaker awards to Kara Best (’24), Casper Holden (’24), and Kovac herself.
The Samohi March 8, 2023 11
Arts & Entertainment “The Drowsy Chaperone” rises and shines during Samo’s spring musical Ryan Kim
Staff Writer
A bright light flashes onto the stage. Audience members look around for the cast when they suddenly hear a voice on the speakers. The Man in Chair begins to narrate and the audience becomes enraptured instantly as he turns on the record player. First, there’s silence except for the record scratching. Then, the curtains open and out comes a blur of colors. As your eyes focus, you see flashy costumes, chattering from the stage, and singing voices. With music supported by the pit orchestra, Samo’s spring musical, “The Drowsy Chaperone” was a hit. Opening night was on Feb. 24 in Barnum Hall and was a blast for the audience. Theater Director Kate Barazza shared that it was a unique show and something the program has never done before. “The Drowsy Chaperone” is a comedic production that follows the Man in Chair as he listens through his favorite musical soundtrack. The show is filled with zany characters and a funky plot that eventually comes together at the end. The audience was definitely in for a “Toledo Surprise”.
In order to give more students the opportunity to act in the show, four roles were double casted: Jane Van De Graaff, George, the Drowsy Chaperone and Kitty. The cast began rehearsals for the show in late November and has worked extensive hours perfecting their roles. Cameron Davidson (’24) practiced his lines continuously as he learned to play the role of the Man in the Chair. Several preparations went through to get everyone ready for this play as well. “We would learn a dance in a day with the help of choreographers and from there we had to practice that dance on our own and every once in a while would go over it in rehearsal,” Davis said. “The tap dancing was actually choreographed partly by Walden Sullivan who plays Robert and partly by the [professional] choreographer who choreographed the rest of the show.” Not only did actors learn from adults but they also learned from Josie Morasco (’23) who helped choreograph some of the dances in the play. Being just an actor wasn’t enough for these talented students. Lara Hunter (’23) talked about her mindset as Janet Van De Graaff in “The Drowsy Chaperone”. “The mindset was really just to have fun. I had From Left to Right: James Revzen (’25), Piet Greenspan (’26), Brooke Aron (’24) and Sophia Silva (’25) work together as Revzen and Silva touch up Greenspan and Aron’s hair and makeup. During tech week, cast members had to do full hair and makeup for rehearsals with the help from the makeup crew.
Sam Kaplan / Contributor
From Left to Right: Miracle Gans (’25), Tali Chase (’23) and Ellanora LoGreco (’23) wrok on Chase’s maid costume. The costumes team worked hard to choose pieces for the show and they made a few of the costumes themseleves. When costumes ripped, either during rehearsals or shows, the team was there to fix any mishaps.
Sam Kapla
n / Contribu
tor
to pretend like I was better and more talented than anyone else around me,” Hunter said, “It was pretty challenging to not only absorb all the other characters’ praise for Janet but having to act like it was normal was even more challenging.” Both Hunter and Cienna Menville (’23), who also plays Jane, gave spectacular performances and sang beautifully which were heavily applauded by the audience.
This musically endearing performance was an absolute delight as waves and waves of cheering and clapping were heard from the crowd with standing ovations. As each cast member bowed and departed from the stage, the audience talked and laughed, leaving the building full of memories to last and “going back into reality”.
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Ryan Kim / The Samohi
The cast of the “Drowsy Chaperone” kicked off the show during the opening number, “Fancy Dress” and left the audience applauding.
Tech Week: A look behind the scenes of the musical rehearsals
Malia Kabwe Staff Writer
The annual spring musical had its final performance of “The Drowsy Chaperone” on Sunday. Many students reported being amazed at the production of the show. However, the production did not simply fall into place. Samo students from all grades all with different strengths come together for a common goal, especially during “tech week’’. This crucial week of back to back rehearsals requires a unique amount of dedication on and off the stage. During tech week all of the different departments (cast, props, crew, costumes, makeup, sound and light) band together to make sure everyone is prepared for opening night. This week consists of late night dress rehearsals, broken props, last-minute blocking changes and sound malfunctions. “The prop stairs handle broke this morning and we can’t fix them for a while. The stairs are one of the heaviest props we have to move so it’s kind of a pain but we’re working through it,” crew member Alexander Rossant (’23) said. In addition, assistant stage manager Nori Quist (’23) had an unfortunate case of COVID-19 a few nights before opening night. Some crew members including stage left manager Avery Resnick (’23) and the stage manager intern Sabrina Glasser (’26) took on more responsibility. The stress and
anticipation backstage were evident. People rushing by with props, quick costume changes, and director notes kept everyone on edge. “As a stage manager, I really make sure everyone is where they need to be and nobody misses their cues. Although there are minor bumps in the road things have overall been good, especially today,” Resnick said. Despite the stress of putting together a large production, much of the cast and crew were very excited to see the show finally coming together. After months of practice, the pieces were falling into place. Costume designer Ellanora LoGreco (’23) explained that she loves seeing her work displayed on stage when she watches the musical from the audience. Crew head Isabella Del Castillo (’24) also experienced a growing pride for her work as the show went on. “Sometimes pieces get added or the director’s vision changes close to opening night. We have to get really innovative with our transitions and rigging pieces. I really enjoy the creativity of it though. I like to describe my job as turning a blank room into a garden,” Castillo said. All in all, tech week was an essential part of the success of “The Drowsy Chaperone” and could not have been possible without the full commitment of all the students involved in the production.
Lara Hunter (’23) who plays Jane Van De Graaff stole the spotlight with her performance of “Bride’s Lament” during the second act of “The Drowsy Chaperone”.
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Sam Kaplan / Contributor
The Samohi
12 March 8, 2023
Arts & Entertainment
Abrams’ “Good Riddance” deserves a warm welcome to your playlist Addison Burns Staff Writer
Singer songwriter, Gracie Abrams released her debut album on February 24, 2023 called “Good Riddance”. She has only ever released studio albums and singles, so this new album is a big step in Abrams career. “Good Riddance” consists of 12 tracks, diving into heartbreak, reflection, guilt and doubt. This new album already has 3.5 million streams, “Where do we go now?” debuted with about 820,000 streams on Spotify; the most streams she’s ever gotten on a song. Abrams was raised in Los Angeles by film director JJ Abrams and film and TV producer, Katie McGrath. Abrams became interested in music very early on in her life. She started with playing the drums at 8 years old and later learned to play the ukulele and the piano. After posting videos of her singing on YouTube, Abrams gained a following very quickly. She graduated from the Archer School for Girls in 2018 and studied international relations at Barnard College, but took a year off after her freshman year to pursue her music career. Even though she is still beginning her career, she has already opened for Phoebe Bridgers, Olivia Rodrigo, and will also open for Taylor Swift this spring and summer for her Eras Tour. Abrams released her first single “Mean It” in Oct. 2019 under Interscope Records.
She is most known for her other releases including, “minor”, “I miss you, I’m sorry”, ”Mean It” and “Feels Like”. Her three most recent singles are, “Where do we go now?”, “Amelie” and “Difficult”. These all came out in Jan of 2023 as a sneak peak of her debut album. This is a good first album for Gracie Abrams. The songs do however show how other artists and producers are affecting what she writes and the way she produces it: her authentic voice is sometimes missing in her songs. Many other rising artists seem to have been creating very similar music, which can get very repetitive to some people. Some of her songs also lack the energy and dynamics needed to keep listeners interested. However, it is shown through her writing that Gracie Abrams has very strong storytelling skills. This causes some people to stay engaged because they can really feel the emotions Abrams is trying to convey. She is very honest and open in her songs, almost like you’re reading her diary when listening to her songs. This attracts many listeners because they find her lyrics relatable. “I know it won’t work” is one of Abrams’ strongest songs in this album, it highlights the past mistakes she made in a relationship that she wishes she could fix. Even though this song is about heartbreak, Abrams manages to make it more upbeat than some of her other songs. This makes
Was “Outer Banks” season three fool’s gold?
Photo from gracieabrams.com
it stand out from the rest of the album. “Amelie” is another notable track on Gracie Abrams’s “Good Riddance.” It doesn’t seem like there is one main meaning of this song. “Amelie” could represent anyone in someone’s life including, a lost friend or family member, an ex, or even an alter ego. That is why this song stands out from the rest, because of how differently people could interpret it.
Staff Writer
“Outer Banks” season three was released in February. 23. The show follows a group of teenagers living in the coastal town of Outer Banks in North Carolina. John B (Chase Stokes), JJ (Rudy Pankow), Kiara (Madison Bailey) and Pope (Jonathan Daviss), otherwise known as the Pogues, are trying to live a normal life until the news hits that John B’s dad died in a storm. While trying to find the treasure tied to him, John B and his friends deal with fighting, death and unexpected plot twists. This season starts off with the Pogues surviving on an island with little resources and no way home. This season’s new plotline could be a whole different show. It felt very rushed, like the writers were trying to reach the end of the story too quickly without really focusing on the details. The timeline of the story felt unrealistic, with the Pogues only being stranded on the island for ten minutes of the show. They didn’t show much drama between the characters, so the show felt less interesting. There could have been so many chances for new relationships or even a short summary of what happened so it would make more sense.
However, there was more depth added to the personalities of the main characters. They also brought more life and emotion to villains of the show.There was a side of Ward Cameron (Charles Eston) that viewers had never seen before. He cared for Sarah and Rafe by putting them before himself and choosing to help them along the journey even if they didn’t forgive him. When a character that was presumed dead came back to life, it did not add much to the plot which seemed like a waste. The writers could have developed this character’s relationship with other characters better and that would have made the plot line much better. A new potential relationship that was introduced this season was with Rafe and Kie, while they are polar opposites they did have a lot of chemistry when they were both kidnapped and had to share a room. It seems like Kie could date anyone on the show considering her and JJ having a couple romantic moments, seeming more than best friends. With all the different relationships and ships between the characters, the show was worth the watch.
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For a little me time, choose “YOU”
Photo from netflix.com
Olivia Stephansen
Overall, giving “Good Riddance” a listen is definitely worthwhile. If you end up really liking it, Gracie Abrams is going on tour, and will be in Los Angeles in late March of 2023, just before she is opening for Taylor Swift.
Photo from nettflix.com
Violeta Buitrago Staff Writer
The television show on Netflix known as “You” had their first season air on September 9, 2018, and finally released the first five episodes of their fourth season on February 9, 2023, five years later. The main character, Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley), is a strange, obsessed and manipulative character, who goes through many heart-racing events throughout his time. In this new season, Joe takes on a new persona, Jonathan Moore, since he is presumed dead, but things end up taking a twist and “You” is no longer just about a romantic connection. Joe has relocated to London where he works as a professor and tries to stay isolated from society. This proves to be a challenge for Joe when he meets his colleague’s girlfriend, Kate Galvin (Charlotte Ritchie). He instantly believes she’s the one for him, once again, after three previous romantic obsessions in earlier seasons. Kate and her friends integrate Joe into their friend group, although he is very uneager to do so since he wants to keep his true identity hidden from those around him.
The first half of the season is filled with many heart-racing events and breaks its repetitive pattern from the old seasons. This time around, Joe has the script flipped on him and is being taunted by an unknown mysterious person for things he has done in the past. This presence creates havoc for Joe, but also adds a fresh quality to the show that will leave you watching your TV for hours. The first five episodes of this series are great and leave the audience wanting more. While watching, it deems impossible to get bored while you watch Joe Goldberg or Johnathan Moore go through crazy, life-risking and daunting situations. Although it might be hard to watch Joe believe he is in love with yet another woman this season, there are many other factors to the first half of this season that make it exceptional. With the second half of season four releasing on March 9, it is time for those of you considering giving “You” a chance, to start it soon, because although there are disgusting, frightening and sometimes enraging scenes, the story is captivating and is worth a watch. thesamohistudentnewspaper@gmail.com
The Samohi March 8, 2023 13
SPORTS
Surfs up! Samo Surf team wipes out their competiton in winter season
Cleo Topp Staff Writer
Living in Santa Monica and by the beach, summers are filled with beach days, tanning and surfing. However, by the wintertime your board might be hung up and awaiting its return the next summer. For the Samo surf team however, this is not the case. Affiliated and representative of Samo, but not endorsed as an athletics program, the surf team has made a name for themselves in the Samo and Bay League community. Consisting of around 40 people. The surf team practices year-round and competes just like any other sport at Samo, however their sport may look a little different than the other ones rotating around campus. The team has two captains representing their respective grades, Jacques Barnett and Miles Carlson are senior captains, Jade Furukawa and Alex Meyer are junior captains and Julia Faber and Arden Hittner are sophomore captains. These students lead the surf team through morning practices Tuesday through Friday and sometimes afternoon practices as well. While they usually practice
actual surfing in the water, the team also takes part in yoga, pilates and sand workouts to work on strength training. The team is made up of those there for ISPE, those there to get better at surfing ranging from middle through high school and those on the competitive team known as the travel team. And while the team is open to anyone, a select few actually participate in competitions in dual meets with schools in the other league in order to win points and rank higher in the bay league. Known as the travel team, they are just beginning their season and they expect fierce competition, however, they started their season with a win, 18 points over El Segundo, which they hope to set them up for a successful season. “We trampled El Segundo, we beat them by a lot. And it was a team effort too, there weren’t like specific show-outs and people that specifically made a great effort, but we destroyed them,” Barnett said, “Overall as a team I think we’re good and how we compete as a team it really is where we’re best, and we do really well because of that.”
Each competition is separated into four categories, called heats, depending on board size (shortboard v.s. longboard) and gender. Each team has three people per heat competing against the other team to win the most points for their school. Competitions in bay league allow each surfer 15 minutes in the water, and points are awarded based on the tricks and maneuvers, wave difficulty and ride length, all accumulating to the overall placement of each surfer in their heat.. The placements that each person ranks awards their school a specific number of points, which then go to an overall tally to determine the meet winner. While the surf team represents Samo and competes against other Bay League competitors (such as Mira Costa or West Torrance), it is not actually a Samo sport, nor is it campaigning to be one any time soon. “There’s a lot of stuff that the school has to do and provide and have that makes the surf team better and more accessible for a lot of people outside of Samo,” Barnett said. This is because surf becoming a school sport would mean that
Marion Clark / Contributor
Sofia White (’23)and Sierra Pacifici (’25) on Oct. 29, 2022, when a group of team members competed in one of the first contests of the season, held in Santa Cruz. The weekend long contest proved to be successful for both White and Pacifici, who placed second in their respective divisions.
it would become a class period, most likely first period for optimal weather. The school would need to provide transportation for the surfers to and from the beach between periods, and the coaches, who are currently not employed by Samo, would have to be faculty at Samo. The funding and logistics necessary from the school, as well as the other Bay League surf teams, to incorporate it as an athletics program would be tantamount to the results. Aided by their recent win, the
surf team is ranked high in the league and is projected to progress. While staying out of the Samo athletics program, the surf team boasts a full crew and coach that has made a name for themselves in the bay league surfing community, and the team members look forward to an exciting season. “We’re doing great, we’re doing better than I thought we’d be doing and I’m proud of how hard everyone’s working,” Carlson said. thesamohistudentnewspaper@gmail.com
Blue Crew: Introducing Samo sports’ new hype squad Natalie Gazzana Staff Writer
School spirit is coming back to Samo thanks to the Blue Crew, a new club focused on cheering on students during sports games, pep rallies and other school events. The Blue Crew grew in popularity after their first appearance at the girls’ and boys’ varsity basketball games on Jan. 2 , filling the North Gym with chants. Club team president Samuel Reynoso (’25), started the club this school year, in an effort to bring school spirit back to Samo post pandemic restrictions. His hope is that once he graduates, the club will no longer be necessary, because school spirit culture will fully return to Samo. “I heard stories from my family that came here before that the school section was always a lot of fun. When I came here it was kinda mid so I wanted to change that,” Reynoso said. With the Blue Crew up to almost forty
Kira Bretsky / The Samohi
Blue Crew in action at the boys’ Basketball game on Jan.6 against Palos Verdes.
members, their growing presence in the student section is helping to achieve their club goals. Students who aren’t part of the club are able to participate in big game culture alongside their school mates. The Blue Crew has also taken to instagram for publicity, where they use their platform to post about game dates, times and pictures. Along with their independent success, The Blue Crew has also had involvement with other clubs, working with the Sports Blog Club at one basketball game, reporting on the players for the Samo Sports Blog Youtube channel and collaborating on their instagram posts. “We wanted to collaborate … so I was able to join them and
talk about the plays and the players which was a lot of fun,” Reynoso said. Their regular attendance hasn’t gone unnoticed. Players and coaches have caught onto their supportive student body and appreciate their presence. Along with sports games, the Blue Crew’s appearance was also noted at the Battle of the Grades pep rally early this semester. They spread even more spirit by having members on the court throwing t-shirts; with Blue Crew written on the front. ASB vice-president, Egan Waktole (’23), has noticed student morale rising since the presence of the Blue Crew. “They’ve been attending most of our sports games, like basketball, and their main priority is to make sure students are having fun. I think that they’re an essential part in future pep rallies and school events to keep the fun going!” Waktole said.
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Kansas City Chiefs win Super Bowl LVII on last second kick
Declan Ney Staff Writer
For the first time since 2019, the Kansas City Chiefs have reached the top of the NFL mountain. By the skin of their teeth, the Chiefs outlasted the Eagles, 38-35, in one of the most exciting Super Bowls of all time. This victory gives the Chiefs their third NFL championship in the franchises’ 63 year history, and possibly sparking the NFL’s next great dynasty in the process. For the Chiefs, quarterback Patrick Mahomes became the first player since Rams quarterback Kurt Warner in 1999 to win both the NFL’s Most Valuable Player award and a championship ring in the same season. The Super Bowl MVP struggled for the majority of the first half while suffering another ankle injury, but managed to put together three consecutive touchdown drives at the beginning of the second half, putting the Chiefs back into the game as Mahomes finished with 226 total yards on the night, with 44 of those yards coming on the ground, setting up kicker Harrison Butker’s 27 yard game winner. Rookie running back Isiah Pacheco rushed for 76 yards and a touchdown in the game while the reliable
tight end Travis Kelce hauled in six catches for 81 yards and a touchdown in the first quarter. On the other side, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts’s big game debut was nothing short of spectacular. Not only did he pass for 304 yards and a touchdown to wide receiver AJ Brown in the second quarter, but he also rushed for three important touchdowns for the Eagles, including a two yard run in the middle of the fourth quarter to tie the game at 35, while generating a record 70 rushing yards in the process. Hurts also tied the record set by Broncos running back Terrell Davis for most touchdowns in a Super Bowl with the three rushes. There was also another coming out party in green and white through the air, as former Heisman Trophy winning wide receiver DeVonta Smith finished with 100 yards on the night, despite not finding the end zone for the entirety of the game. Even though the Eagles’ offense put up 35 points, their defense fell apart on the game’s final drive, with cornerback James Bradberry getting called for a controversial holding penalty on Chiefs wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster in the waning moments.
The Apple Music Halftime Show was headlined by Barbadian singer Rihanna, who was performing live for the first time since her Anti World Tour in 2016. Rihanna had previously turned down the opportunity to perform the halftime show for Super Bowl LIII in support of Colin Kaepernick kneeling for the national anthem (according to an interview with “Vogue” in 2019), but decided to make her return four years later. While performing songs such as “Only Girl (In The World)” and “Work”, Rihanna also revealed that she was pregnant with her second child. With all of the mesmerizing platforms lifting Rihanna and her dancers into the sky, the halftime show became truly unforgettable, similar to other halftime shows in the past. Super Bowl LVII was the fourth time in NFL history that the city of Phoenix hosted the big game, with the former three games coming in 1995 for Super Bowl XXX, 2007 for Super Bowl XLII and 2014 for Super Bowl XLIX. Next year, the NFL championship will take place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, the first time that the big game will come to the Sin City.
Art by Audrey Strauss thesamohinewspaper@gmail.com
The Samohi
14 March 8, 2023
Sports
The buzzer rings on boys’ basketball
Girls’ Basketball had a slamming season
Art Editor
Staff Writer
Kira Bretsky
On Friday, February 10, Samo boys’ basketball faced Hesperia High School for their second CIF playoff game. The home game was packed with Viking supporters who cheered the team through a tight game as both sides competed to stay in the running for the Southern Section Championship, and Samo’s tough loss marked the end of their 2022-2023 season. They finished in fourth place in the Bay League which, according to Head Coach James Hecht, is “top to bottom, one of the best leagues in the state.” As seniors Joshua Hecht (’23) and Ty Vudmaska (’23) held down the court, this year’s young team stepped up on all sides. Junior Point Guards Holden Hendrickson (’24) and Luke Hecht (’24) built the backbone of the team’s timing across the field while Sophomore Jayden Xu (’25) proved his 3-point line skills at every competition. Freshman Onieli Thruston (’26) became comfortable on the court alongside Anton Berge Wells (’24) who dominated the sky. Overall, next year’s team seems to be coming together with unmatched power from this season’s experiences. “We’ve found a way to strike early and maintain the lead through constant discipline and effort,” Xu said. “Since we
Kira Bretsky/ The Samohi
Holden Hendrickson (’24) dunking during game against Palos Verdes on Jan. 6.
have such a young team, we were forced to learn how to play consistent team basketball instead of spurts of good and bad.” Every game this year was a learning experience for the team. Coach James Hecht believes that the team has turned their shortcomings into their biggest strengths. “Our guys have definitely grown and matured as the year went on,” Hecht said. “Every experience contributes to the next opportunity and the next game.” thesamohistudentnewspaper@gmail.com
Girls’ Soccer season ends in CIF
Olivia Stephansen Staff Writer
The Samo girl’s soccer team finished their season after two games in the CIF playoffs. They ended their regular season third in the Bay League with an overall record of 127-3, which was better than their 2021-22 season where they placed fourth. Throughout this season girls’ soccer brought confidence, energy and hunger to win. This year’s seniors were Sydney Forsyth, Billie Waxler (GK), Lily Ryf, Jillian Brander, Alexis Corpuz, Kaya Schwartz and Lauren Forsyth who kept the team motivated and working hard throughout the season.
Natalie Gazzana
“This season was definitely a rollercoaster but I tried my best to look at everything glass half full. The support and closeness of the team is definitely what kept us all motivated and eager to win,” Waxler said. Samo succeeded in reaching the CIF playoffs where they first beat La Serna 2-1, a strong team who were first in the Del Rio league. Sydney Forsyth scored Samo’s first goal in the 22nd minute off a corner by Piper Forsyth (’25). Six minutes later, La Serna tied the game. One minute into the second half, Drew Sievers (’25) put the team in the lead once again. Samo maintained this one goal lead for the rest of the game and, since CIF is an elimination tournament, Samo got to move on to the next round in the playoff bracket. Samo played Etiwanda during the second round of the playoff bracket. The last game Samo played was an important game for them to try and win because winning would lead them to the semi-finals. Unfortunately, Samo failed to achieve their goal, losing the game 1-4. Etiwanda scored their first game late in the first half, and the final three in the second half. Although the season has ended, the achievements made by the girls varsity team have set a high standard for the next.
The Girls Basketball season officially started on January 6 in a home game against the Palos Verdes Sea Kings. The Vikings immediately got into the lead, and eventually ended the game with a landslide win of 5928. Their second home game against the Redondo Union Sea Hawks ended in a tough loss for the Samo players at 41-47, but they bounced back at the next game, with a home win against the Peninsula High Panthers and an end score of 48-44. The team this season consisted of mostly seniors, albeit having at least one player from each grade; eight seniors, one junior, two sophomores, and one freshman. Although the age differences may seem like a disadvantage, according to Coach Doug Kim, it has helped develop their teamwork and strengthened the team for the next season, when the seniors won’t be around. “What the seniors provided was great leadership, great mentorship and great role models. While it does hurt and it’s sad to see people go in a team that’s as close as they were, I think it also provides opportunity...so everybody has their time and everybody has their moment.” Kim said. The senior leadership definitely
showed this past season, with at least three seniors starting each game. The girls also placed second in the bay league, with a 7:3 standing, proving that next season, they will be one of the teams to beat. The CIF playoffs started off strong for the Vikings, with a high-spirited crowd cheering along, and the game ended with a thirteen point win against the Pacifica High School Tritons, ending 53-40. The Vikings kept up their winning streak at the next CIF game on Feb 11th against the Crescenta Valley Falcons. After a neck and neck game, that consisted of many time outs and many fouls, the girls won 6155. However, their CIF time was cut short at their first away game against the Hart Indians in Newhall after a 44-62 loss. Although the season ended with a difficult loss, Coach Kim is proud of the effort the girls put in, and is looking forward to the potential of the next season. “What I do look forward to is that there are several players in our program who have incredibly high ceilings, and that’s exciting. The real joy about that is that the underclassmen are really excited to learn and they’re really excited to step up and be a part of it, which is important.” Kim said.
Natalie Gazzana / The Samohi
Chris Mora/ Contributor
Center-back Lily Ryf passesthe ball to the wide right-back during game against Mira Costa.
The team celebrates Senior Night among their friends and family in a celebration that ended with a winning game. thesamohistudentnewspaper@gmail.com thesamohistudentnewspaper@gmail.com
Samo Wrestling pins down their 2023 season Taylor Witt Staff Writer
Samos’ wrestling team is wrapping up their 2023 season, with many placements in the CIF Finals. After the CIF Finals tournament on February 10 and 11, the wrestling team had five wrestlers move on to Master’s, which took place on February 17 and 18. Masters is the last competition leading up to CIF State. Team captain Kai Necci (’23) and heavyweight wrestler, Mason Oliva (’24) both placed sixth over the CIF Finals weekend at Murrieta Valley high school. However, Necci’s journey ended at Masters. As a senior, this season was the culmination of Necci’s last four years on the wrestling team. Necci reflects on the countless hours he has spent in the wrestling room, from freshman year to now. “Our coach always emphasizes that there’s a difference between hurting and being injured. Everyone on the team is dealing with their own thing, it’s just all about overcoming that. This year
I can tell that our program is way stronger than as it was when I started as a freshman so I’m really hopeful for the future of the Santa Monica wrestling team.” Necci said. Team captain Taira Sakamoto (’23) placed first
at San Dimas high school in the CIF Finals and Sakamoto received the lightweight MVP award. Alicia Lewis (’24) placed fourth and Maia Baker (’25) placed sixth. At Masters, Sakamoto recalls a match against a wrestler she had once lost to.
Chris Mora/ Contributor
Taira Sakamoto (‘23) goes head to head with Clovis East at CIF State, earning her the victory
Boys’ Soccer shoots for CIF, but ultimately falls short Nika Nazarizadeh Staff Writer
On Feb. 8 Samo boys’ soccer played in their first round of CIF. The game ended with a score of 1-0. Although there weren’t many points scored, there was remarkable defense on both ends of the court that kept the ball in play at all times. The goal of the match was made in the second half by Hayden Howard (’24) when he scored an impressive knuckleball, making it near impossible for Warren Downey to block the goal. They succeeded through CIF for a few games, but got eliminated on Feb. 18 when they played an intense match against Long Beach Polytechnic High School, ending in a 1-2 score.
Diego Damenca (’23) takes charge during senior night game against Culver City on Feb.2
Kira Bretsky / The Samohi
After Gabriel Sherman (’25) got fouled, Nikolas Wheeler (’23) scored a free kick granting the team a point. The point was later disallowed, leaving a controversial question of whether or not the Samo boys blocked the goalie in the midst of the play. “I felt like it should have been counted, but the referee had another opinion so we just kept playing,” Wheeler said. Although the team has been eliminated from CIF, they have qualified to continue their season in Regionals, where they can fight again to bring home a win for Samo. Their last game was played on March 2 where they lost 1-3 against San Pasqual High School, eliminating them from CIF and ending their
However, this time she secured the victory. “I was so nervous for that match going in, I was like this is my last season, I have nothing to lose,” Sakamoto said. While the wrestling team typically sends wrestlers to CIF State every year, they have not had a wrestler place since 2017. This year however, Sakamoto placed third in the CIF State championship. wAs the season came to a close, senior wrestlers are ending their high school wrestling careers. Many of the seniors started wrestling in their freshman year, when the team was significantly smaller. As the team has exponentially grown from their small beginnings, head coach Jason Mun expresses his passion for the team. “Two years ago, if someone told me we would have the year that we had this year, I wouldn’t have believed it. So in that sense I’m very pleased and I’m very proud of how much better we’ve gotten in two years. But like I said, we’re never going to be satisfied with what we got,” Mun said.
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2023 season. The one goal of the game was scored in a penalty kick by their center midfielder Kieran Quinn (’23). As they left their last game, many players had similar thoughts to Captain Riley Howard (’23). “I think the season went well. We placed third in our league and had a couple upsetting games where we lost by one goal. However, we turned it around in the playoffs, making it to the semi-finals. Unfortunately, we lost that game 2-1. Overall, it was a great group of guys to work with and I have enjoyed my last four years on the program,” Howard said. thesamohistudentnewspaper@gmail.com
The Samohi March 8, 2023 15
Sports
Swim waves into the new season Boys’ Golf putting their best foot forward Jewel Greene Staff Writer
The boys’ and girls’ swim teams both officially started their 2023 spring season on February 28th and are hoping to bring a fresh sense of passion and determination. The varsity boys’ team placed second in Bay League Finals and the girls placed fourth overall during the 2022 season. Four school records were also broken last year, and Kyle Kim (’23), the boys swim team captain, qualified for CIF state championships. However, with many of their fast swimmers having graduated, as well as their assistant coach, Syd Lovelace, leaving Samo, they are definitely facing setbacks as the season starts. “In the end, that’s all the more reason for them to work harder in order to fill
small squad is truly like a second family the shoes and take the plac- ty boys won by 83 points, Ryan Kim es of those long gone,” Kim scoring 126 to 43. Girls’ Staff Writer on and off the course,” Kohsla said, “Our said. varsity won by a fewer Boys’ Golf is finally in season. Boys golf Coach, Bart Burdick, helps us every step The boys swimmers have number of points, 39, with has officially started with games arriving of the way… His extensive knowledge recently added quite a few a final score of 103 to 64, on March 2 and despite their loss of 28 of the sport keeps our team competitive new additions to their but they still won “by like strokes, against other teams with more experithey’re team; the team captain a landslide” according to ready to come enced players.” hopes that the swimmers team member Daniela PeWith their comback and be even with more experience will tran (’25). petitive streak and better than before After winning their first set a good precedent for close bond, they’re with more games them. Kim expects his team meet against Venice, Samo’s bound to make to come. to take in actions like “mo- swim teams are prepared to Samohi proud. The team can tivating them to swim their win this season. Going for the Bay be seen practicfastest and hardest for our League Title and ing every day exupcoming meets.” thesamohinewspaper@gmail.com qualifying for CIF, cept Thursdays, Samo boys they’re ready to their commitment and girls varrepresent Samo as is tied to their sity and junior individuals. Kholbroader goal of varsity have sa leaves his fihad a clean winning the bay nal thoughts for sweep so far League title. Capthis season, the team and the tain Luke Khosla as they blew school. (‘25) talks about Venice High “We know we are how he feels about School out capable of winning the team dynamic. Nicholas McDonough/ Contributor of the water en masse and we’re “We have a young during their Nicholas McDonough (‘24) swings a long drive during ready to prove it.” core that’s improved practicing at Rancho Park course. Feb. 28 meet. Jewel Greene/ The Samohi tremendously since The varsi- Swim team dives during their first meet, where last season. Our thesamohinewspaper@gmail.com they won a clean sweep.
Girls’ Lax shoots for another championship
Track and Field sprints into a new heat
“For our sprintoff against Culver City High Malia Kawbe Staff Writer er, we’re trying School on Friday, March 24. The track teams season to get a lot of our Team co-captain Jessica Brown (’23) is looking for- began on Feb. 22 with a people into CIF. ward to leading her to through meet at Beverly Hills high We have a good school. After the girls’ var- chunk of people a successful season. sity cross country team at- that I personally “As a senior, I am extremely tended the state meet for believe can reach excited and hopeful that my the first in Samo’s history, that level…I’m girls can break through the all eyes are on them for a [also] looking obstacles that come our way great track season. forward to a lot and focus oncoming out on Preseason looked a lit- of our relays.” David E. Hunzicker/ Contributor top. We more than deserve tle different this year as Arroyo said. Nico Lombard, (’24) Brody Wilkes (’24), and it and I truly believe in this sprinters were able to get a The teams first David Ervin (’24) leading the 1600 meter race team,” Brown said. head start during the new dual meet com- at Culver City Relays. Aili Forster / The Samohi fall track season. This extra menced on Feb. Edie Kaufman(’26) during warm up passes with her partner. Head coach Brian Patenaude team is focusing on race continues to work for more preparation and new addi- 27 against Palisades. The strategies and building a Juilet Swimmer tion to the coaching team, meet began with fast races strong mindset when it team improvement year after year. Centerspread Editor “[I’m looking forward to] our team is laying a foundation for from standout freshmen comes to running. Along After making history in their 2022 sea- growing together and having individ- a good season. Co-captain sprinters Tessa Levine and with, prioritizing weight son by winning the title of Ocean League ual successes and team successes,” Pat- Mayolo Arroyo (’24) talks Shenandoah Markos. As training and injury prevenabout goals for this season. an up and coming athlete tion. Distance captain Joise Champions, the girls’ lacrosse team en- enaude said. ters the 2023 season hoping to achieve Levine touches Karmarsky (’24) describes Since these pre-season games, the Visimilar results. on her mindset her feelings on the upcomkings played Poly highschool and Palos for the rest of the ing season. The Girls’ lacrosse team at Samo is Verdes High School. Since entering their season. gearing up for another season after a season, the girls practicing Monday-Fr“ …From what I can tell it “I just feel is off to a great start, from successful run. So far in their pre-sea- day from after school to 5pm. To prep, very locked in, our school history-makson, the girls have had an even run the girls team has focused on fine tunI know what my ing cross country season playing games against Marlborough and ing there stick skills and getting familiar goals are…I re- to the very beginning of Saugus High School. Kicking off the sea- with passing with their teammates. ally want to push this spring track season I son of a strong foot, the Lady Vikings “The sun never sets on Belmar. Eat, myself as hard as can tell we are going to do defeated Saugus High School at home sleep, lax, repeat,” Brown said. I can, push my great!” said Kramarsky. on Tues. February 14, 13-5. In the folteam, and just lowing week however the team took on kind of see how the Marlborough Mustangs and lost 6-16 David E. Hunzicker/ Contributor far we can get,” on the road. With lots to learn, the girls Fayre McKenzie and Raquel Lewis sprinting the Levine said. thesamohistudentnewspaper@ are gearing up for their league to kick last 100 meters of the 200 meter race. For now, the gmail.com thesamohistudentnewspaper@gmail.com
Softball starts at home base Sienna Bevan Staff Writer
Girl’s softball will officially start their season on March 8 in a match against Palos Verdes, following several non-league games. Last season the team finished third in their league and made it to the third round of CIF! Head coach Jenny Forster shares her hopes for the team’s standings this season. “We are hoping to sort of take off from where we left off last year. We returned most of our infield players and both of our pitchers so we’re expecting to see really similar play.” Forster said. In preparation for their season, the girls spend their afternoon practices training both on and off the field. They train in the weight room to build strength; and on the field, they are mostly sticking to the same strategies that aided them in their success last season. Forster explains the approach for this season, which will be similar to the previous years’.
“Our strategy for this season is to stay really locked in at bat, scoring lots of runs, and then to keep our defense really strong in order to keep the games close,” Forster said. Standout players to watch out for this season are batter Brielle Minor (’23), and pitchers Anna Oeser (’23) and Drew Vudamaska (’25). Minor was the big hitter last season, averaging a home run almost every game. Although this is Minor’s last season before graduating, she still anticipates the team to grow and improve during the season. “Hopefully I can contribute to making the team stronger than previous years, and as for the team, our goal is to make a strong playoff run,” Minor said. Leanna Einbinder/ Contributor
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The girls’ varsity softball team poses for a silly photo after winning their first away meet in Palm Springs.
The Samohi
16 March 8, 2023
Sports
Boys’ Tennis finds their rhythm on the court Beach Volleyball is “bump”ed for the new season Ava Memarzadeh
Sara Javerbaum
The Samo boys’ tennis season is looking bright for the varsity team. After conditioning and several pre-season challenge matches determining each player’s ranking, the team is ready to attack this season. In 2022, the division one team fell short of achieving their goal of qualifying for the CIF Team Tournament. However, the team proved themselves at the 2022 CIF Individual Tournament as star singles players Vincent Cheng (’25) and Simon Catanzaro (’25) made it to the CIF Doubles Semi-Finals as Freshmen. Both head coach Shaun Simone and varsity captains Mattin Aframian (’23) and Lincoln Jarvis (’23) are greatly looking forward to the season that lays ahead. “We have a special group of Sophomores on the team that put forth a tremendous amount of effort each and every day that are stepping up and rising to the occasion. I’m excited to see how they perform once we begin competitions in the Bay League,” Simone said. Samo boys’ varsity tennis team faced a tough pre-season match against Palisades Charter high school on Feb.14, marking their first match of the year. The singles starters Catanzaro, Jarvis and Liam MacMahon (’24) all saw success in their matches, with Catanzaro winning two out of three of his matches. The doubles teams, however, struggled to bring the team to a win, and the team ultimately lost 6-12. Regardless, it was evident that the doubles teams were effectively communicating with one another and working together. Each point was followed by a quick tap of the racket and an exchange of motivational words from the doubles players.Aframian speaks on the team’s performance during the preseason match. “As a team we were consistent at the baseline but we were scared to approach the net and let the other team play aggressively. We hope to continue working on our volley game to put points away,” Aframain said. The captains are passionate about leading their
On Wednesday February.15, the Samo girls’ varsity beach volleyball team played against the Notre Dame Academy Knights, fighting not just the Knights but the brutal weather conditions as the wind humbled players from both teams. However, not even their battle against the weather, or the Knights, could stop Samo from enjoying their first pre-season match of the season. The team won 2-1 against Notre Dame, and their success is only motivating the team to work harder and keep their streak. While only introduced as a proper Samo sport last year in 2022, the girls’ beach volleyball team has grown and succeeded as a subunit of the Samo volleyball program. Most of the players on the team have migrated from the indoor volleyball team, who’s season ended in the fall. Liane Sato, head coach of both the boys’ and girls’ indoor volleyball team, is thrilled about how far the program has come and encourages indoor players to give beach volleyball a shot. “We have already reached one of our goals of doubling the number of players in our
Centerspread Editor
Opinion Editor
Ava Memarzadeh / The Samohi Catanzaro serves in his second singles match on Feb.14 against Palisades Charter. Catanzaro lost in his first game, but quickly came back to win his next two games.
team to victory, and emphasize the talent and potential of their teammates. “Our team has tons of talent this year. Although sets are played individually, matches are scored as a team, so having a lot of serious competitors, maybe the most we’ve had in years, should set us up for a great season,” Jarvis said. The game following the Feb.14 pre-season match, saw a turnaround in the team’s previous loss, with varsity winning 15-2 against El Segundo on Feb. 21. However, the season doesn’t come without its challenges. Coach Simone commented that the team unfortunately lost two returning Varsity starters from last season, which was a major setback. Despite this, Simon remains hopeful with the strong group of underclassmen the team has this season; who forth a tremendous amount of effort each and every day and are rising to the occasion. “Simon Catanzaro, Chris Rhee, Hudson White, Levi Title and Evan Abramson are all Sophomores who earned a starting position on the 2023 Varsity team. As Head Coach, it’s always exciting to have young talent on a team. We will be a force to reckon with in the next couple years,” said Simone. The team has three non-league games in total, leading up to the season’s proper start, with the first varsity league game on March 9 against Palos Verdes. thesamohinewspaper@gmail.com
Boys Baseball on deck for 2023 season
Sofia Hume Staff Writer
After more than a semester of daily practice and the start of spring sports, comes the beginning of the boys’ baseball season. Kicking off with a split double header with South Torrence, wins against St.Monica and Paramount, a loss against Winward and a tie shared with Highland, the team has officially begun their 2023 season. Before the league games begin, the team has several non-league games leading up to the official start. Varsity Head Coach Jordan Sigman reflects on these non-league games and how they will lead into the season.
Kira Bretsky / The Samohi
Teddy Levin, the only freshman on the varsity team, during a game on Feb.17 against Paramount where Samo won with a final score of 5-0.
“I think the season is off to a good start. Our pitching and defense has been our strong suit. Our pitching staff is led by seniors Christian Recendez, Colin Jones, and Sean Bowker. Over the next few games I am confident our offense will start rolling in the right direction as we move into league play in the middle of March. I am confident that this will be the best team we have had in my four years here,” Sigman said. Last year, the team saw a challenging season with an overall record of 12-14 (wins to losses) and final standing of fifth in the Bay League. One standout player however, was Christian Recendez (’23) who had the highest on-base percentage and has high expectations for this year’s season, after several changes within the team. “While we are 3-2-1, our team this year compared to last year is completely better. The games we have won have only shown some of the skills our team possesses. Something notable I know our team is doing well compared to the last few years is working hard and building chemistry amongst each other. This year we have made it a priority to work hard and hold each other accountable when we are messing around too much. Having fun playing our sport while not disrespecting it by messing around,” Recendez said. Though it is still early days within the boys varsity baseball season, there seems to be a common agreement between both coaches and players that the team has high potential and is setting up for a good season. Their next home game will be a nonleague game on March. 10 against Hamilton. thesamohinewspaper@gmail.com
@samohivolleyball / Contributor
Both the varsity and JV girls practice together at the Santa Monica beach four times a week.
beach program. Playing on the beach is one of the greatest tools to improve your all around game…Each player gets the opportunity to practice and get better at all skills. ” Sato said. Many teams—including the Samo boys and girls volleyball team—deem outdoor volleyball to be more challenging due to the sand surface, and therefore use it as practice for indoor volleyball. Varsity player Jane Robinson (’25), who’s spent most of her nearly decade-long volleyball career indoors, says she holds a special place in her heart for her time on the beach volleyball team. “The transition is exciting because beach [volleyball] feels like a completely dif-
Staff Writer
The 2023 spring boys’ lacrosse season has officially started and the players are off to a strong start, after a 5-4 win against Chaminade on February. 17, marking their first game of the season. In their last season, the team placed second in the ocean league’s ranking and an overall record of 12-5 wins to losses. Noah Zucker (’23), held the highest number of assists per game in lasts years season, and continues to be a standout player. Zucker scored two goals in the Feb.17 game, and reflects on his aspirations for himself and the team this season. “The things that need to happen for an overall successful season is winning every single game and going 100 percent every single time we are on the field,”
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Boys Volleyball: picking up where they left off Indigo Craane Opinion Editor
Samo boys’ volleyball team will start their season with a home game at the North Gym on Feb. 24, facing Saint Monica in a pre-season game. The team won with a final score of 3-0, setting up for a successful season. The team has been practicing since the fall semester and even attended a UCLA volleyball game for more training. Varsity Captain Matthew Liberman (’23) describes the team’s attitude going into the season. “We are really hopeful about the upcoming season and are expecting a playoff berth. Our schedule is packed this year, so we are trying to take it one game at a time,” Liberman said. The decently sized team of 24 players, composed of both old and new faces, is anticipating a successful season. With an interesting mix of seasoned players and a fresh generation coming in, strong coaching and leadership will play a big role in the team’s success this year. Liberman speaks on some of the predicted standout players this season. “I’m excited to see what Jamie Browning does as a senior leader among the team and a future collegiate athlete. My hopes are high for Colin Hughes as well, I think both will help raise our team floor and are going to play great this season,” Liberman added. Practicing every day after school in the gymnasium until 5:00 p.m., members are hopeful that the preparation they have put
in during the off-season will pay off in how they play. They will face off against challenging competition such as Redondo and Mira Costa once the season properly starts, which will surely test their teamwork. The Vikings have dogged enthusiasm for the new season, driving them forward for a successful season. The next home game will be on March 10 in the north gym against Peninsula, in one of the first league games of the season.
@samohivolleyball / Contributor
Boys’ volleyball gathers together before the home game against St. Monica on Feb. 24.
Boys Lacrosse sticks it to their competition heading into 2023 season Violeta Buitrago
ferent game compared to indoor and it’s just so much fun. Our team has already made so much progress since we started the season, which wasn’t long ago, so I am very optimistic about our season!” Robinson said. As beach volleyball enters its second season as a CIF-certified sport, the girls and their coach are dedicated to making Samo’s beach volleyball team a force to be reckoned with. Liane The team’s next game will be on Friday, March.10, against Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks at the Ocean Park Beach courts in Santa Monica, in a non-league tournament.
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Zucker said. Long Beach. Head Coach James Phelan is confident in the boys The team has a strong start to this season as they fall in the CIF-SS Division 2 ocean league after last performance this upcoming season, especially after year’s season. The boys are coming into the season seeing last season’s highlights and lowlights, knowing with tough goals and high standards. Joaquin Nava what to alter for this year. (’23) who is in his last season, shares these goals and “Our team goals are to win the Ocean League and standards for the season. earn a spot in the SS CIF playoffs. With hard deter“My goals are to work hard, have fun and make it mination, and great teamwork this group is poised to to the postseason, and If we want a successful season do great things this season,” Phelan said. In addition, Phelan shares his overall goals for his team. we’re gonna need to work as one team and take it day by day,” Nava said. “Culver City has won the league for the last two On Friday Feb. 24 the boys were supposed to face years, and our mission is to be at the top of the league Notre Dame at home, but the game was canceled due by the end of the season, and with the number of reto transportation problems from the opposing team, turners and quality of our offense, we can reverse our and faulty weather conditions. Their next non-league Kira Bretsky/ The Samohi fortunes,” Phelan said. home game is set to be on March.13 against Cabrillo Chaitan Butte (’23) ready to pass the ball during game against thesamohinewspaper@gmail.com Chaminade on Feb.17.