The Samohi 24-25 Cycle 3

The Samohi

Cover art by

Kayman Mangan

Election aftermath: Democrats shaky as right sweeps

Leo Lucente Staff Writer

Donald Trump and the Republican Party came out victorious after a historic election this past month. In congress, the Republicans maintained control of the House with a majority of 220 to 215 and flipped four senate seats to secure a 53 to 47 majority. In regards to the presidential race, all seven swing states voted conservative as Trump won both the electoral college and popular vote—312 to 216 and 50 percent to 48.3 percent, respectively. Contrarily, in Samo’s mock election, Harris received 71 percent of the votes while Trump received 12.4 percent. When Trump is inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States on Jan. 20, 2025, the Republican party will control the judicial, legislative and executive branches of the United States.

A Trump victory by this margin came as a surprise to pollsters and analysts as exit polls showed a slight favor to Vice President Kamala Harris nationally and in the Rust Belt states of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin. Samo student Nahom Kinfegebriel (’26), however, is not surprised by Trump’s victory.

“It’s definitely a shame, but I kind of expected he would win,” Kinfegebriel said. “Trump has outperformed the polls in every election. In 2016—but also in 2020—Biden was favored to win by more. So when I saw how close the polls were this time, I kind of knew he had it.”

Anthony Salvanto, CBS News’ executive director of elections and surveys, credited Trump’s victory primarily to Americans’ discontent with the economy. In the four years of the Biden administration, Americans saw the cost of eggs, gas and other everyday goods. And while Trump ran his campaign on a promise of cheaper groceries, Harris was not able to effectively distance herself from Biden’s economy and assure citizens that she would bring down prices, explained Samo student Jacob Ovadia (’25).

“I don’t think Harris’ campaign put enough emphasis on the economy,” Ovadia said. “It was kind of this idealistic mess and I think it’s ironic that Trump’s campaign better aligned with the needs of everyday Americans than Harris’.”

The notion that Trump was the “economic” candidate was reflected in the stock market in the days following the election. Both the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 reached record highs, surpassing $44,000 and $6,000, respectively. Crypto currencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum spiked too, likely due to—as Yahoo Finance Market reporter Josh Schafer put it—Trump’s “crypto friendliness.”

The Democrats’ loss has precipitated a wave of finger-pointing and doubts about the party’s image. Senator Bernie Sanders said the Democratic Party’s alleged “abandonment” of the middle class was responsible for the loss which prompted a response from both Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison

and Democratic Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi.

“I don’t respect [Sanders] saying that the Democratic Party has abandoned the working class families,” Pelosi said.

Pelosi, one of the most influential figures in the party and who is widely reported to have led the Democrats’ push to oust Biden, came out publicly to say that the election could’ve gone in a different direction if Biden had stepped aside earlier. Anonymous Harris aides spoke to Politico, blaming the president as well.

“We ran the best campaign we could, considering Joe Biden was president,” said one unnamed aide. “Joe Biden is the singular reason Kamala Harris and Democrats lost tonight.”

Former Biden aides, however, told Axios that Harris shouldn’t have any excuses considering she had $1 billion in funding. They also blamed Obama’s advisors for pushing Biden out. Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman, a Democrat, condemned those who ousted Biden as well.

Rep. Richie Torres (D-NY), on the other hand, made a post on X stating the far-left is to blame for alienating centrists. Another New York Democratic congressman, Tom Suozzi, said the loss was, in part, due to Democrats’ push for political correctness.

While the Democratic party’s identity is cloudy, the mission of Trump’s GOP is crystal clear. Trump’s plans for his return to the White House can be found in Agenda 47, a manifesto with policies similar to those of Project 2025. Agenda 47 proposes reforming public education by getting rid of teacher tenure, holding elections for principals, eliminating “critical race theory” from school curriculum and encouraging prayer in school. The platform also proposes leaving the Paris Climate Accord and cutting climate protection policies. The president-elect’s plan takes a strong stance against crime, immigration and homelessness as well; imposing the death penalty for drug dealers, ending birthright citizenship and outlawing public encampments. The platform aims to repeal transgender rights by calling for the removal of federal funding or programs from educators or healthcare providers who encourage or provide gender-affirming care to adolescents.

In addition to planning policy, the president-elect is in the process of picking cabinet positions for his administration. Notable picks include independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.—an anti-vaccine activist who dropped out of the race and endorsed Trump in Aug. 2024—as health secretary, Florida senator Marco Rubio as Secretary of State and former Florida attorney general Pam Bondi as Attorney General. Samo student Peter Jarvis (’25) expressed his fears for the second Trump administration.

“Trump’s whole cabinet will be loyalists, he has congress, the supreme court and he doesn’t have Pence anymore to hold him accountable—Vance will let him do anything,” Jarvis said. “He’s got unchecked power. I

know he came out against a national abortion ban, but he’s a notorious liar who could’ve just said that to win the election.”

After major news networks called the election for Donald Trump, Harris and President Joe Biden

addressed the nation. Although they gave separate speeches, the two had similar messages: to reduce political tension and to not be discouraged by the loss.

Racist texts sent to students nationwide post-election

Alisa Ignatenko Staff Writer

Following the Nov. elections, Black students across the country have received an influx of racist text messages from unknown sources, including students at Samo. As of Nov. 9, the messag es have begun to target Latinx and LGBTQ+ students as well.

Many students at Samo have fallen victim to these mes sages and have taken great offense to them.

Aubrielle Gomez (’26) was one student who received a racist text. A member of the Black community, Gomez was saddened and unsettled by the message. Gomez’s text alluded to slavery, telling her that the “ex ecutive slave was coming” and calling her to “report to the nearest plantation.” Other recipients were reportedly told that they had been selected for deportation or instructed to report to a re-education camp.

The untraceable messages quickly involved the FBI, which said in a statement on Nov. 7 that it was “aware of the offensive and racist text messages” and that it was coordinating with the Justice Department and oth

er federal authorities to combat the issue and identify those responsible. It is still unclear who sent the messages—which were received in nine states—and there is no complete list of to whom they were delivered. Some of the texts appear to have been sent through TextNow, an app

staff. We do not endorse advertisements placed in our paper.

Editors-in-Chief Aili Forster Sara Javerbaum

Managing Editor Sienna Bevan

Business Manager Cleo Topp

that she believes the election has played a part in this movement. “I definitely think it’s [part of] a bigger agenda just because of the election. I think that they’re trying to rile people up and upset them,” Allen said. SMMUSD Superintendent Dr. Antonio Shelton released a statement on Nov. 8 to address the issue, recommending that students themselves and reach out for support. “Targeting our students with racist messages is unfathomable.” Dr. Shelton said. “Whoever or whatever group started this campaign needs to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

Opinion Editor

Student Life Editor Ryan Kim

A&E Editor Max Kehoe

Centerspread Editor Claire Harrison

Art Editors Kayman Mangan Raha Ghoroghchian

Social Media Manager

News Editors Olivia Stephansen

Dalia Puchalt

Liam Sauer

Emi Yamashiro-Hergert

Photo Editor Manny Lopez

Sports Editors Addie Burns Louis Rotgin

Faculty Advisor Elizabeth Stapleton

Staff Writers

Athena Barefoot, Laurel Cohn, Ryan Colvin, Addy Fiore, Emma Godfrey, Alisa Ignatenko, Sia Kresch, Leo Lucente, Koi Lerner, Eugene Naruse, Yaretzi Preza, Arata Sakamoto, Kamerin Shakir, Imani Toler, Hope Wang

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

Art by Kayman Mangan thesamohinews@gmail.com

What’s going on around Samo?

Eugene Naruse Staff Writer

The Santa Monica Pier bridge is set to be replaced in a $29 million project, with construction expected to start in late fall of 2025. The new design will feature a wider walkway, increased functionality and accessibility, upgraded lighting and rails, reinstallation of the iconic blue pier sign, and seismic safety upgrades ahead of the 2028 LA Olympics.

Alison Mitrovith (‘26), a long-time resident of Santa Monica, talked more about her feelings toward the construction.

“I’m definitely excited for more changes to happen for the Olympics and I’m looking forward to the events being held in Santa Monica as well, ” she said.

During construction, the pier will still be accessible through a temporary pedestrian bridge to ensure minimal impact on visitors and businesses and a small replica sign will be installed to compensate for the removal of the pier sign for its rehabilitation. The city anticipates that construction will last between 18-24 months, with the full completion to be in 2027. Funding for the project is expected to come from the federal Highway Bridge Program (HBP).

Annual ice rink opens in Santa Monica

Located on the corner of Arizona Avenue and 5th Street, Ice at Santa Monica officially opened on Nov. 8, kicking off the winter festivities in the city. The nearly 8,000-foot rink will be in operation until Jan. 20, with special events ranging from classical music Sunday skate sessions, a Taylor Swift music night, and a New Year’s Eve celebration expected to take place during this time. With an updated layout from prior years, new seating areas and a small Shake Shack have been added near the rink, creating a more enjoyable atmosphere for skaters. Admission is $22 an hour, with skate rentals included. The rink will be open until 9:30 pm every day, except on Fridays and Saturdays when it will be open until 11 pm.

Roman Nicodemus (’26), who has gone to the rink regularly since he was a child, shared his excitement for the rink.

“I really enjoy the rink especially because it’s a great seasonal place to spend time with friends and it definitely gets you in the Christmassy spirit.“

Addy Fiore Staff Writer

21 years ago Stephen Miller (’03), now President Trump’s nominee for Deputy Chief of policy, walked the halls of Santa Monica High School. Raised by a liberal- leaning Jewish family in the heart of Santa Monica, Miller’s childhood environment contrasted the political ideas he would later promote. Miller’s time at Samo was marked by controversy, where he would deliver speeches to the student body and write conservative opinion pieces to various newspapers. Later he became a polarizing political figure as Senior Advisor to Trump’s 2016 administration.

Early displays of conservative ideology made Miller stand out in a liberal school community. His controversial statements and actions not only drew attention but also foreshadowed who he would later become. In a letter to the editor of The Lookout in 2002 he stated, “a number of students lacked basic

First Samo “Thriving Thursday” wellness fair

Starting this school year, Samo is introducing a monthly Wellness Fair on “Thriving Thursdays” to support student mental and physical well-being, with the first event taking place on Nov. 21. The fair offers a variety of resources, including events with community partners, games, activities, and the popular therapy dogs, all aimed at fostering a healthier school environment.

Carla Nunez, a specialist on site at Samo part of the LACOE (Los Angeles County Office of Education) Community Schools Initiative, which aims to promote individual and community well-being explained more about the resource fairs.

“There are so many students who need mental health care, and what that tells us is

that there is a need for wider care within the school, which is why we decided to start these fairs. I think one thing we really need to focus on and try and achieve through these events is destigmatizing mental health, and also fostering a community where we can all rely on each other.”

In addition to the fair, the school has offered and hopes to continue featured flex-times like sound baths and yoga to promote relaxation and mindfulness.

“With initiatives like the wellness fairs that focus on big groups, we also try and do smaller scale events, with things like flex-times, which are usually really heavy on academics, so we try and offer different enrichment opportunities for students,” said Nunez.

for

English skills. There are usually very few, if any, Hispanic students in my honors classes.”

Nathaniel Munoz Acker (’83) a Samo alumni and current AP Government teacher, was ASB advisor when Miller attempted to run for a student body president during his junior year.

“I remember him being booed soundly on the stage when he was running for ASB president… he lost miserably because he was not well liked,” Acker reflected. “He said something, to the effect that, we [Samo students] should throw our trash on the ground, so it’ll give the janitors something to do.”

These controversial opinions often came with condemnation from Miller’s peers at Samo.

“We didn’t like him,” former classmate Natalie Flores (’03) told The Wrap. “He was rude, he was racist, he was a misogynist, he was absolutely obnoxious.”

While many students shared similar views to Flores, some of his

SB 1417, a bill pitched by former Samo alumni Sen. Ben Allen (’96) was recently signed into law, allowing Santa Monica’s Department of Transportation to prohibit certain individuals from Big Blue Bus services. The bill aims to improve safety measures on the buses by authorizing the department to ban those who violate policy on the bus and any affiliated facilities, as well as “jeopardize the safety and comfort of Big Blue Bus passengers and employees,” per the City of Santa Monica website. Prohibition orders can last from 30 days up to a year, and a new committee will be tasked to serve as oversight for the new law. This bill can be seen as part of several initiatives to improve safety on city transportation, including ones such as the Transit Safety Officer Program, which has trained officers placed on buses and select bus stops.

Eddie Martinez (’26), a student who regularly takes the bus, gave his take on the new law.

“I feel that buses felt safer in the past and it’s definitely gotten more dangerous in recent years.

peers such as Jenness Hartley (’04) found his bombastic nature to be fascinating.

“I do remember having a great time with him at an eighth-grade barbecue,” Flores told the Los Angeles Magazine. “He was entertaining and irreverent and said things that were entirely out of left field.”

The strong reactions Miller faced from his peers at Samo was rooted

in the same controversial views that would later define his political career, leading to his role as a key figure shaping immigration policy under the Trump administration.

In the 2016 presidential election he was appointed to be a senior policy advisor for Trump’s presidential campaign. Following the 2024 election, commencing Trump’s second term, he will now be promoted to deputy chief of staff for policy. This job comes with overseeing the development and implementation of key policy initiatives. Some of Miller’s planned policy initiatives include large-scale deportations of undocumented immigrants, imposing travel bans, and enforcing strict border control. Miller previously set his initiatives in motion during Trump’s first term. In Trump’s 2016 term, Miller signed and supported immigration bans against Muslims coming into the U.S (which was in motion for 120 days), separated thousands of children from their families at the

These new laws are a good step towards making the buses safe again, but I think they can do better, and I hope more preventive actions are taken in the future.”

The new bill is set to take effect in January.

thesamohinews@gmail.com

border through the Family Separation Policy. Miller plans to amplify and add on to these initiatives in the 2024 term.

Miller has cited sources in emails sent to conservative allies at Breitbart News that were determined by the Southern Poverty Law Center and Anti Defamation League as hate websites and white supremacist journals.

Miller’s current political views stand in sharp contrast to the liberal environment of Samo. Miller’s embrace of right-wing ideas highlights significant differences from the values of racial diversity and equity that defined his highschool community. Even during Miller’s time at highschool he frequently voiced his disapproval of Samo’s political atmosphere. Notably, Miller concluded his letter to The Lookout claiming, “Osama Bin Laden would feel very welcome at Santa Monica High School.”

thesamohinews@gmail.com

The Santa Monica Pier Bridge where construction is set to take place.

Big Blue Bus to implement new law for safety

Eugene Naruse / The Samohi Pier bridge to undergo construction

Eugene Naruse / The Samohi

Students talk in front of a booth, part of the wellness fairs that took place on Nov. 21.

Emmanuel Lopez / The Samohi

Stephen Miller’s softmore yearbook picture, taken from the digital design room

Emma Godfrey / The Samohi Illuminations light up ice rink

skaters.

Samo alumn Stephen Miller to advise Trump

Shawn Saunders/ Contributor

Santa Monica Big Blue Bus 7 on its usual route throughout Pico going Westbound

OPINION

HOTLB: Samo students take on hot takes

“We need to bring back road rage. Road rage doesn’t always equal reckless driving, people just need to start driving faster… And if it takes a few unkind words, so be it.”

In a world full of constant chatter, everyone seems to have an opinion, or many. Often, they’re not afraid to share it. Sometimes it’s saying something out loud that was normalized online, or accidentally letting a crazy idea slip. Many stand out for their boldness, or for being a little more “out there”; worst case, someone gets canceled. Samo students fuel new ideas and oppose a standard understanding of the world, leaving others feeling either shocked or vindicated.

2030: Trump’s climate crisis

The White House might be able to handle four more years of Trump, but can the climate? Last time Trump was in office, his administration rolled back over 100 environmental rules and his win is predicted to add 4 billion tons of carbon emissions to the environment by 2030. Trump has not only promised to delete climate change policy and publicly called global warming a “scam”, but has also advocated for fracking in national parks and encouraged excess drilling and burning of oil and gas.

Trump’s environmental choices were already met with controversy in his first term by denouncing the Paris Agreement. This was an international, legally-binding agreement negotiated across 196 countries at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference. This agreement stated that the countries involved would work together to decrease their emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

California, however, is the most environmentally friendly state in the U.S. according to Travel + Leisure. Legislators and California governor Gavin Newsom have signed numerous bills to accelerate the path to 100 percent clean and renewable energy. So how will a president - who is actively furthering our climate troubles - going to affect California’s efforts towards a greener future?

The election comes (unfortunately) at a crucial point in the fight against climate change. According to the New York Times, scientists say major economies must reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent, from 2005 levels, by 2030 to abstain from a world where the severe effects of global warming are made increasingly aware. These will include famine and deaths from extreme storms and heat.

California voters showed their environmental drive when they supported and passed Prop. 4, a ballot initiative that will create a $10 billion “climate bond” that can be used towards future environmental projects. The bill will be able to use $1.5 billion towards wildfire resilience, which would include procedures such as controlled burns es. This ballot was step towards being environmentally aware, as the resources made available by this bill are incredibly important in slowing down global warming impacts and moving forward sustainably.

Katelyn Roed-

ner Sutter, the state director of the Environmental Defense Fund, explained how important this bill is.

“This result demonstrates voters want California to be at the forefront of climate action because our health, lives, and livelihoods are at risk,” Sutter said.

California is a key state that is affected by global warming, from extreme heat in the valley to coastal flooding and erosion by the beaches. There have also been numerous destructive forest fires in the past few years. So much so that on Nov. 5, 2024, Malibu students were permitted from attending school as all power was shut off to prevent another forest fire.

It’s essential for our community to take protective measures for our environment, even if they’re just a few simple actions. You can start implementing eco-friendly products into your

life, such as using disposable water bottles. There are also a variety of local volunteer opportunities, such as Heal the Bay or Team Marine, a club here at Samo. Make sure you stay up to date on climate news and do some research on sustainable practices that would be easy for you to incorporate into your daily life.

Our environment cannot and will not save itself. If we cannot protect our own Earth, nobody will. Now is the time to take action and recognize our role to not only protect our climate, but our futures. The fight against climate change is not merely a topic for political discourse, it is a matter of survival for our own lives and generations to come.

Laurel Cohn Staff Writer

-Gelila Mihret (’26)

Claire Harrison / The Samohi Athena Barefoot / The Samohi

Should political differences impact friendships?

In today’s polarized climate, political divisions have never felt more personal. As many believe that people’s values and beliefs often align with their political choices, it raises the issue of how much disagreement is too much when it comes to maintaining meaningful relationships.

YES

Sienna Bevan Managing Editior

Let us disagree over the economy—over inflation and unemployment; let us disagree over who and what our taxes should fund, over law enforcement policies and over welfare programs. Discourse is essential to democracy; and disagreement is certainly unavoidable in politics. But we aren’t disagreeing over gas prices anymore; we’re disagreeing over whether or not I have the right to govern my own body. As such, when deeply held moral values are at the core of our political opinions, they undoubtedly will, and should, impact friendships.

Some policy differences are inconsequential. Other policy differences, however, are an expression of meaningful human values. Therefore, it’s partly a matter of which political opinions people disagree on, but also a question of how many fundamental issues on which you disagree. And beyond a certain point, which is difficult to measure, too many disagreements will make it hard to have a true friendship. Friendships depend on shared values, not only shared interests and hobbies.

James Balwdin, the late writer and Civil Rights activist, once said, “we can disagree and still love each other unless your disagreement is rooted in my oppression and denial of my humanity and right to exist.”

Disagreement is inevitable—even healthy—in relationships; but when you bring human rights into the conversation, that’s a different story. This election was not solely about politics; it was about morals. It was about defending, or denying, the rights of the many marginalized individuals in this country whose voices are suppressed. A candidate who gives comfort to racists, for example, is not merely expressing a difference of opinion; they’re standing on the other side of a significant moral divide. Trump is a man who opposed the Equality Act—a federal legislation expanding civil rights to protect LGBTQ+ people—in 2019. He has also described immigrants as “poisoning the blood of our country” (2023), as “animals” (2024), and “rapists” (2015), calling for immediate mass deportation.

When you vote for a man who said “you can do anything [to women]. Grab ’em by the p*ssy,”—a man who has had sexual misconduct allegations from over 26 women—you are not voting for your daughters, mothers, wives and girlfriends; you are not voting for women.

When you vote for a man who was endorsed by the Klu Klux Klan’s official newspaper, The Crusader, in 2016, and the Taliban in 2020; a man who is supported by, and has praised, Vladamir Putin and Kim Jong Un—two murderous,

totalitarian dictators; a man who claimed Hitler has done “some good things” (according to John Kelly, former White House Chief of Staff), you are showing who you stand with.

When you vote for a convicted felon, the only federal official to be impeached twice, and the only President to incite an insurrection on the Capitol, you are not voting to uphold democracy.

When you vote for a man like Donald Trump, you are showing what you stand for. And that shows me that we don’t have the same values.

I choose friends who care about others besides themselves, who care about democracy and equal rights for all, and who strive to cultivate a culture of compassion and unity in this country.

I stand for respecting others’ life and political differences; I believe our differences are what makes us great as a nation. It is when the political opinions start to impact people’s fundamental life differences that we have a problem.

Minor political differences don’t need to make an impact; major political differences should impact friendships. When a political candidate cannot respect our differences as humans, we are in the realm of major political differences. And there is hypocrisy in saying ‘we must respect others’ political differences,’ when they voted for a person who can’t.

NO

Liam Sauer News Editior

In a time where political views seem to be so entrenched in how we represent our core values, it may be difficult to see how we can preserve friendships with someone who votes for the antithesis of what we believe in.

However, here’s what I know: I was raised, like many of us, to believe in the inherent virtue of putting oneself in someone else’s shoes. Humanity, in that sense, is our ability to empathize with others not simply recognizing their hardships. It requires the strength to truly

for us to criticize the political positions of others. That is the point of discourse. But to demonize those close to us, merely for their choices within this election, is a fanatical response to what otherwise should be a constructive disagreement. The assertion that tolerance has its limits, is fair. There are certain views, specifically those that advocate for the destruction of the rights of others, that are unacceptable. Yes, those views did make their way into this election. But for the majority of Americans, they voted in spite of the negativities that their candidate represented.

Just like in every election, people had existential problems in their lives that they thought, regardless of the character of their candidate, could be solved by their policies. Are you telling me you are going to forget all of your friends’ good qualities and everything you’ve been through, because they took the “wrong” approach to the election for their own valid reasons?

Let me make it clear that when I say political opinions should impact friendships, I’m not saying they should necessarily end them; but when I know someone supported someone like Trump, I have a mental asterisk next to the idea of them. And how much it detracts from my feelings about them is going to be due to some combination of an assessment of how much they understand about the values they’ve supported, how much they accept those value differences, and other things I might know about the person.

For those who choose ignorance—acknowledging the severity of all of these facts and still overlooking them—you are condoning hatred and intolerance. I can continue to coexist and work with those with whom I disagree on fundamental issues, but where meaningful friendships are concerned, I don’t want to constantly “agree to disagree.”

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is also the building block of friendships. The whole beauty in a friend is that you can come from COMPLETELY different backgrounds, experiences and viewpoints and, yet still love that person for their true essence. You can get past what you believe are stupid and irrational decisions and beliefs, because you know from experience that they are a good person and vice versa.

Since the election it appears as though the concept of putting aside differences has flown out the window. If you’ve spent some time on Instagram [or have taken a glance at the article next to mine], you’ll see exactly what I’m talking about.

“This is more a statement about your morals than your politics… If you voted for [x, y and z] we simply can’t be friends… You are to blame.”

This just cannot be stood for. It is valid

If you have a TRUE friend, someone you know is a moral person, who supports you and makes decisions cognizant of others, you have to be able to view their perspective. Maybe you voted off of concerns for democracy and ethics. Maybe they voted off concerns for their families wellbeing and worldwide peace. Maybe they were wrong in their approach. Maybe you were wrong. At the end of the day, you don’t have to respect their opinion, but you need to hear each other out. If we fail to do that, how do we moderate our views? How do we even convince others and bring them over to the “good side”, if we can’t maintain relations with the people closest to us.

Martin Luther King Jr., once said, “We must learn to live together as brothers or we will perish together as fools.” As a society we can seek to put aside our differences and move forward together. We can choose to hear each other. Or we can continue to live in our bubbles, straw-manning everyone who disagrees with us.

Don’t give this election the power to destroy our morals, our friendships, or the tolerance that is the foundation of what makes our country great. Don’t in our attempt to eliminate the ignorance we so despise, allow ourselves to become ignorant.

Art by Raha Ghoroghcian

Behind The Scenes: From prep to plate - serving thousands

Eugene Naruse Staff Writer

With an operating budget of $4-5 million for the district each year, the school cafeterias are vital in providing food to thousands of students. But beyond the long lunch lines, the behind-thescenes operation of the school cafeteria is complex and intricate, coming with logistical challenges that are often overlooked.

On any given school day, the school district serves an average of 2,000 breakfast portions and 4,800 lunches. Serving that many meals requires careful planning and a well-coordinated system, which is why the process of bringing food to students begins months in advance. For everyday items like produce, bread and frozen goods, the kitchen manager at Samo’s cafeteria places orders for both Santa Monica High School as well as for elementary schools in the district. These orders are placed about two months in advance, ensuring everything arrives on time and in the necessary quantities. On the other hand, raw products like fruits and vegetables are ordered and processed by a central system about a year before they reach the schools. Not all raw ingredients are sent out for processing; around 35% are kept in-house for use directly at the school sites, ensuring a balance of fresh ingredients.

The high school kitchen prepares meals for high school students and the district’s elementary schools, where the kitchen space is smaller. The high school staff handles much of the bulk prep, which is then sent to the elementary schools for final preparation. Pasta, for example, is handled in two separate facilities, with the pasta sauce being prepped in the high school kitchens, and the

pasta itself being prepared in the elementary schools.

New items are also regularly introduced to make the cafeteria experience more enjoyable. Richard Marchini, director of food services for the district, explained more about the long process involved in creating new items.

“Developing new recipes takes about 4 months,” Marchini said. “We will normally menu a new item at least 2 per month for 3-4 months to see how the items are perceived. Once we develop a recipe we run it through our nutritional analysis software to make sure it is compliant with all the requirements for each grade level.”

Once a new dish is made, feedback is important in determining its success. However, when trying new items that cater to specific

diets, like vegetarian or vegan meals, it can be trickier to gauge student interest. The cafeteria staff relies on student and staff input to fine-tune new items and decide if they should be added to the permanent menu.

Sabrina Kachurka, a cafeteria worker at the school kitchen, explained more about the feedback process.

“We try and make stuff that we think that students would like, and if we introduce a new item and it goes quick we know it was popular and we try to bring it in more, and we also like when you guys give us input,” she said.

Because so much needs to be done, the workers at the cafeteria arrive early in the morning. Angelica Bustamante, a cafeteria worker at the school kitchen, shares how her day is scheduled. “I usually arrive at 6:30 or sometimes even earlier and it usually goes until 2:30-3:30 pm,” Bustamante said. ”It’s just breakfast, prepping, cooking and making sure that food goes out on time to the students.”

With all of the tireless work put into the kitchen, the school cafeteria has become a beloved hub for students. Students like Triston Lambert (‘26), notice the importance of the cafeteria in their daily lives. Lambert gives his take on the cafeteria, sharing the positive effect he has felt.

“I enjoy the cafeteria because you can eat different things every day, and there’s a lot of variety,” Lambert said. “The cafeteria also feels better managed this year, so it’s great.”

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Behind The Scenes: Inside ASB’s event planning process

Every school year, ASB puts in the hard work and commitment for the entertainment of students.

Through the pep rallies and dressing up for Spirit Week, ASB does a lot more than students see. At every event at Samo, ASB is behind the curtain, collaborating and coordinating with each other and putting in the dedicated effort. Not just during fourth period but outside of school hours to ensure students have a memorable experience at Samo. Taking a deeper dive into the world of the student body, a selected handful of students plan out almost every event throughout the school year.

This year, they have hosted multiple events, including a dodgeball tournament and a mock election. Their most recent event was the screening of ‘10 Things I Hate About You,’ going all out

with hot snacks like popcorn and hot chocolate, bringing a big crowd of students together.

The night was a success, making a warm, comfortable environment for the students. Students enjoyed the event as friends huddled together, couples felt the romance in the air and the homely community watched the infamous rom-com together under a starry night.

Demiana Dous (’25) shares her experience volunteering at the ticket booth and participating as a student at the cozy night screening.

“My favorite part of the night was being with everyone while cuddled up in our blankets,” Dous said. “It was pretty fun helping ASB and showed me how much effort ASB puts into their events for students to enjoy.”

ASB has 14 committees and four class cabinets in charge of the events they host. Some of these committees are for activities, athletics, outreach, spirit, social media and more. Each committee works on a different purpose, activities plan all the big events around Samo like Homecoming while athletics work in collaboration with sports teams to help support in any way. Class cabinets usually host one community-building event and one fundraising event for their grade. To gain students’ attention, ASB works to gather input from the students about any potential event ideas they have. After they’ve looked at all the ideas, they’re pitched by that committee during the weekly meetings and discussed before approved. Once approved, activity and revenue permit forms will undergo a process and be discussed during weekly meetings allowing approval for that committee to begin planning. Once settled and all done, Vice-President, Ry Bardacke (’25) makes sure everyone is on task and writes the day’s quote.

“Usually, I’ll google motivational or funny quotes depending on how we’re feeling,” Bardacke said. “It’s a mix of what the class energy is feeling and what’s going on around campus.”

ASB has a fundraising committee that collaborates with its current executive treasurer, Sadie Gryczman (’26), to raise funds for ASB. Most of the funds raised come from big events such as dance ticket sales, online donations, and small events such as bake sales. The revenue directly funds all of the events hosted for students to enjoy.

ASB is planning another movie night, Christmas themed, just before the holidays come around as the perfect way to kickstart winter break. After much discussion, ASB decided on the movie, ‘Home Alone’ to watch. Vice President Ry Bardacke (25) said he helps the team stay on track and develop ideas to engage with students.

“I love ASB because it’s one big community and you’re able to work with the same group of people for so long that it brings us closer when overcoming challenges for the students at Samo,” Bardacke said.

With all the weekly meetings, early morning set-ups, and fundraisers every other month, ASB continues to persevere through the school year to make a more welcoming environment by providing opportunities for students to be more involved at Samo while having fun with friends. Senior class secretary Tammy Ikumi (’25) highlights the importance of creating a welcoming atmosphere at Samo.

“I hope students can take away the love we share for Samo [in our events] - our main goal in ASB is to create an exciting environment for students,” Ikumi said.

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Behind The Scenes: Theatre’s underrated stars

On Nov. 11, Samo Theater hosted its closing show of The Outsiders. As the audience applauded the actors and actresses, many students were working hard behind the scenes to make this play possible. Creating alluring characters through their costumes, makeup, props and more, the cast and crew of Samo’s theater program spent weeks preparing their debut.

With the play set in Oklahoma during the ‘60s, the program got to work on costumes representing the full setting, hoping to reflect the feel of the entire decade. Rather than basing the costumes off what you would see in the movie or musical version of The Outsiders, the fashion was focused on imitating the style of the 60’s. To achieve this illusion, they began with a similar color scheme as seen in the movies and based the ensemble’s costumes around the concepts they provided for the leads. As students take an interest in these logistic and creative roles in Samo’s theater program, they build a strong team for success in every performance.

Even as a first-time participant in a Samo production, Ella Ever-Hadani (’26) played a major role in creating the costumes that brought the play to life. Ever-Hadani speaks on the process of the program in creating this play’s wardrobe.

“For this production, we had a lot of really great clothes but we tried really hard to work on being historically accurate,” Ever-Hadani said. “So a lot of 80-90s clothing would have looked amazing but we kept our focus on the 60s.”

The props and set pieces used in the production were also key factors in bringing the play to life. During the show, there was a point where the actors were drinking Coca-Cola. To keep the performance in the ‘60s, the props department used the appropriate Coke bottles from that time. Characters also visit a Dairy Queen in the script. Finding a vintage Dairy Queen sign was a difficult task for the props team so that the audience could understand the scene going around in the play.

Sophie Castellanos (’26) who played Johnny in the Mustang Cast noted that although preparation played a major part in the play, what stood out to her was how they incorporated minor details throughout to help the audience be immersed in the different scenes.

“It’s the little things [the Coke bottle and Dairy Queen sign] that made the show better and more engaging to the audience,” Castellanos said.

Through their hard work the backstage (tech) crew

played a large role in creating a memorable and engaging show. Samo theater teacher and play director Katheryn Barraza noted how beneficial good communication and leadership were for the success of the show.

“They [the tech crew] had a lot to do and…had to communicate silently and efficiently and do everything quickly without being noticed,” Barraza said. “They all worked well together and they were inclusive towards each other.”

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Stefani Tovar/ Contributor

ASB hosts their weekly board meeting, student body pitching ideas for upcoming events.

Eugene Narese / The Samohi

The cafeteria staff makes their daily fresh pizza during lunch to offer to students, such as Trevor Bhattacharya (’26).

All Photos by Sam Kaplan-Fernández / Contributor James Revzen (’25) is part of the tech in the makeup department putting subtle details for the audience and the cast to be immersed in the play.

Sia Kresch Staff Writer

Yaretzi Preza Staff Writer

Institutionalized starvation & its consequences

Koi Lerner Staff Writer

It’s common knowledge that adolescents have poor eating habits. Eating disorders, economic disadvantages, general lack of appetite, illness — the list of factors in teen hunger goes on. Studies have proved time and time again that the absence of food is extremely detrimental to the human body. But what exactly happens with each meal missed?

Breakfast

According to an article published by Stanford Lifestyle Medicine, eating breakfast starts the genetic pathways connected to circadian oscillations in the gut, which predict daily energy levels and boost metabolism. Someone skipping breakfast may be hungry throughout the day, leading to late-night snacking or binge eating, as the underfed body assumes food is scarce and overeats to catch up. For some, skipping breakfast is an attempt to lose weight or a byproduct of early morning classes. For others who su er from food scarcity, a systemic issue o en stemming from racial and socioeconomic divides, it’s not an option. According to Cambridge University, students of immigrant families are less likely to eat breakfast, especially as the Bureau of Labor states that their poverty rate is more than twice that of U.S. citizens.

Lunch

e midday meal re-energizes the body and raises blood sugar levels, which are vital components to maintaining energy. According to No Kid Hungry, not eating can a ect concentration, memory, mood and motor skills, all of which lead to decreased academic performance. Additionally, Feed the Children states that food insecurity leads to lower math and reading test scores, more absences and tardiness and a higher risk of dropping out of high school. Students may not eat their lunch because the lunch lines are too long, because they do not have enough funds to bring lunch to school or because they fear judgment or embarrassment from accepting free and reduced lunch. is becomes a systemic issue, as people of lower socioeconomic class may struggle to keep up in class with lower focus and energy levels compared to those who have easier and more reliable access to constant nourishment.

Dinner

Dinner provides nutrition right before sleep, which, for most, is the longest time without some kind of food. Everyday Health states that many people eat their vegetables at dinner time — yet nine out of ten Americans are reported to be eating less than the recommended servings of produce. e inaccessibility of fresh produce becomes an institutionalized problem given the prevalence of food deserts, usually lower-income places around the world with little to no access to fruits and vegetables. Having nutritional balance in each meal is too important to be limited to the upper socioeconomic classes. Still, among the more wealthy, the societal stigma around food groups such as fats and carbohydrates additionally limits the balance of a meal. However, Maricopa Community College states that these food groups are integral to upholding one’s health: proteins are important for building tissues, cells, and hormone and enzyme production; carbohydrates produce energy; fats provide energy storage, signal molecules for proper cellular communication and provide structure to cells; vitamins and minerals regulate natural body processes. When one skips dinner, they skip essential nutrients they might not get with any other meal.

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Pride, health and the inclusivity crisis

Arata Sakamoto Staff Writer

In recent years, healthcare access for LGBTQ+ individuals, such as gender-a rming surgeries, hormone replacement therapy, and non-heterosexual sex education, has faced growing restrictions. Given President-elect Donald Trump’s upcoming administration, and the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement’s in uence, LGBTQ+ healthcare has become a focal point for political and societal dispute.

A common conservative viewpoint emphasizes traditional principles, o en resisting progressive changes including LGBTQ+ rights. Religious beliefs deeply in uence these values, and the recent election in favor of conservatives may lead to a government restricting healthcare for LGBTQ+ individuals. Trump has promised in his campaign advertisements on the Truth Social platform that as president, he will withdraw Medicare and Medicaid funding from hospitals that o er gender transition treatment to minors. ese restrictions could harm the mental health of LGBTQ+ students struggling with gender dysphoria, barriers in sports and parental abuse. is in turn raises the risk of suicide and self-harm as LGBTQ+ youth face heightened systemic discrimination and limited access to healthcare. According to the National Library of Medicine, the suicide attempt rate among transgender people ranges between 32 and 50 percent worldwide as they fear the potential decrease in their rights. Many people including Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) President James Revzen (’25) have expressed that nding LGBTQ+ education and healthcare has become limited.

“Being a queer person, I feel like… when you don’t have access to resources, it’s kind of a struggle,” Revzen said. “It’s really important for us to know about queer health… but with new regulations, it’s going to be a lot harder to nd

things like a doctor that will see me for [gender-a rming care].”

Although the LGBTQ+ community continues to face struggles for equitable healthcare, some areas remain safe for queer individuals. Conservative states like Florida are proposing laws targeting LGBTQ+ rights, such as e Parental Rights in Education Act — otherwise known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill — prohibiting classroom discussion about sexuality or gender. However, under Governor Gavin Newsom’s leadership, the liberal California state government has continued to show its support for the LGBTQ+ community by signing new legislation to protect against conservative policies, and also by becoming the rst state to prohibit schools from outing LGBTQ+ students. is ensures Samo students and others in the state of California to feel safer and more secure in their identities knowing their privacy is protected. According to the Governor of California’s o cial website, Governor Newsom has expressed California’s pride in their inclusivity and support for the community.

“California is proud to have some of the most robust laws in the nation when it comes to protecting and supporting our LGBTQ+ community, and we’re committed to the ongoing work to create safer, more inclusive spaces for all Californians,” Newsom’s statement said.

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Art by Kayman Mangan

Art by Raha Ghoroghchian

Plant-based remedies: Returning to our roots

Yaretzi Preza Staff Writer

As modern technology advances, many people worldwide have turned away from the traditional practice of naturopathic medicine. However, these remedies have many uses, from self-healing to illness prevention to mitigation of symptoms. Naturopathic medicine has been used for centuries as an alternative practice to Western medicine, passed down through generations in various cultures worldwide. Here are some Samo students’ most frequently practiced home remedies:

Turmeric

“When you’re hurt, you make a turmeric paste and put it where it’s swelling or when dealing with in ammation,” Rani Prasad (’26) said. Turmeric is a plant that has been cultivated since the Vedic culture in India, making its way into the wellness world by being manufactured from products like pastes to wellness shots. Both products have been used as anti-in ammatory and immunity boosters. Turmeric contains curcumin, which has antioxidant and anti-in ammatory properties to boost health bene ts. To make this self-healing paste, all you need is some turmeric powder and some water to mix it all and apply it to the area of in ammation. It’s best to leave it on overnight and wash o the next morning.

Herbal Oil

Di erent types of oils have been used for centuries to prevent and treat sickness. Speci cally, a Vietnamese oil known as Dầu Xanh – a mixture of camphor, eucalyptus and peppermint – is helpful for stomach pain, muscle cramps, high fever, and other conditions. Applying oils like Dầu Xanh, peppermint, or eucalyptus oil to areas like the stomach and back can relieve pain. An Le-Nguyen (’26) shares her experience with using Dầu Xanh and peppermint oil.

“I use it mainly on my stomach and it builds up my body heat, making me feel better,” Le-Nguyen said. To use these oils correctly, pour them directly on the area in pain and massage them in for 5-10 minutes before letting them sit overnight. Since they have a strong fragrance, it’s best to wash them o rst thing in the morning.

** e remedies and practices shared in this article are based on personal experiences and cultural traditions. ey are not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional before trying any new remedies, especially if you have underlying health conditions.

Huevo Limpia

A natural remedy o en used in Latin America is egg cleansing, also known as ‘Huevo Limpa’. e practice is intended to remove any presence of the evil eye or bad aura. Although it rst originated from ancient healers in Greece and Scotland, egg cleansing is commonly practiced in Latin American countries like Mexico and Peru.

To perform this ritual, take an egg and roll it over your body. Once done, crack the egg into a glass of water and wait to see how it develops. To dispose, sprinkle three pinches of salt over it and ush it down the toilet.

If the egg presents itself in the glass with bubbles, it’s typically a good sign, indicating positive energy. If strings from the yolk hang from the surface of the water to the bottom, it signals there is something in your life that needs to be cut. Alternatively, if spikes of yolk hang from the surface, it can symbolize gossip or a blockage that needs to be removed. Lastly, if the egg makes out a gure-like shape, it’s a sign that people are energetically harming you.

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Battling substance (mis)education

Athena Barefoot

At Samo, it feels like every day might be interrupted with false re alarms triggered by alleged vape use or students getting caught with drug paraphernalia. Drugs, sex and alcohol are not a new part of the high school experience. However, with social media not only glorifying but expanding access to drugs, the nationwide drug epidemic continues to worsen. Given this reality, it’s crucial for students to have access to reliable information about the potential harms of substances.

high school

Marijuana

As California residents, where recreational use of cannabis is legal for people 21 and over, SMMUSD students are inevitably exposed to the notion of “California Sober,” which refers to a person who consumes marijuana but is abstinent from alcohol and all other drugs. e name itself re ects just how normalized cannabis usage is in California, contributing to a culture that believes weed use is harmless and routine. ough marijuana is o en used as a form of self-medication for depression and anxiety, frequent usage has been linked to dependency, psychosis, depression and other mental illnesses. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, THC (the psychoactive compound in weed) can alter the brain’s reward system and sti e the development of areas of the brain that manage stress and process emotions. Purchasing weed from an illegal drug supplier or even from dispensaries is never without risk. e California Department of Cannabis Control has discovered rates of the insecticide chlorfenapyr, greatly exceeding state limits and federal standards, in both illegally and legally sold cannabis products. Exposure to chlorfenapyr can damage the nervous system and can, in extreme cases, lead to respiratory failure or death. Underage marijuana usage, despite how accessible and normalized it may be in our community, remains illegal and poses signi cant mental and physical health risks.

Alcohol

For many students, partying is a critical part of the high school experience. ese highly stimulating social events, however, may spur social anxiety or insecurity. Adolescents o en turn to alcohol — “liquid courage” — to combat their

fears. Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) con rmed alcohol to be more popular amongst teens than tobacco products, nicotine vaping and marijuana, with 3.3 million 12 to 20-year-olds reporting binge drinking in the past month. Binge drinking is o en viewed as just a danger to the liver; however, alcohol is medically linked to a wide variety of issues, leading to around 178,000 deaths per year. ough social pressures and anxieties are inevitable, arming students with both healthy coping mechanisms and knowledge about the risks of drinking will allow them to make educated decisions about their health while they are in the moment.

Contraceptives

Birth control — generally known as “the pill” — is e ective at preventing pregnancy, and has thus been criticized by conservative politicians such as Speaker of the House Mike Johnson for its supposed similarity to abortion. With organizations providing access to contraceptives, such as Planned Parenthood, under attack by the Republican party, the future of “the pill” is uncertain. However, birth control has many other uses besides its primary function: it can also manage menstrual cycles, reduce period pain and treat conditions like endometriosis, which can be debilitating. Birth control is o en demonized on social media by self-proclaimed “holistic” inuencers who claim that the pill is unsafe for individuals with mood disorders, causes hormonal imbalances or, as a rapidly spreading myth on these platforms suggests, leads to cancer. Let’s set the record straight: the pill can lead to side e ects in a minority of patients (acne, weight gain, etc.) and has been linked to a slightly increased risk of certain cancers, such as breast or cervical cancer. However, research has also shown that taking the pill reduces the risk of ovarian, endometrial and colorectal cancers (American Cancer Society). e information regarding birth control non-medical “experts” spread online uses fear-mongering to spread their content rapidly and in uence viewers with a lack of media literacy. e incumbent Trump administration is threatening to strip women of their reproductive freedom. Now, more than ever, it’s important to advocate for access to contraception and work to dismantle misinformation. e solution is not limited to abstinence–at least not in the sense of shaming individuals for their choices or ignoring the complexities of drug use and sex. In a society so deeply intertwined with pharmaceutical solutions and in a community of high schoolers that will inevitably be exposed to drugs in some way or another, comprehensive and consistent education beyond school hours is the only way to combat the onslaught of falsities and social pressures found online. Should students seek out fact-based information about the risks of drugs, they can make informed decisions about their health instead of relying on misinformation and stigma to guide their choices.

Art by Raha Ghoroghchian

School abroad vs. America: students share their experiences

Arata Sakamoto Staff Writer

The student body at Santa Monica High School reflects a diverse community of peers from different cultures, backgrounds, and even countries. While many students have lived in America their whole lives, others have been students around the world, bringing an international perspective to their education at Samo. 112 students at Samo were born in other countries ranging from Kyrgyzstan, to Macedonia, to Japan, and beyond. As these students have grown up with unique cultural backgrounds, their experiences highlight how vastly different education is in various countries. Although many international students believe that American education is easier, they also think that schools allow their students to explore more, have better opportunities, and have flexibility, making a more enjoyable high school experience.

Jiehuai Tan (’25) was born in China and moved to Japan at 11. He experienced that education in China is highly stressful with a significant workload, while education in Japan is more easygoing. Despite this, he expressed his struggles with “Jyuku”, otherwise known as cram school, which is a specialized school in Japan that helps train students to achieve a specific goal such as passing a school entrance exam. Tan shares what he believes to be the biggest difference in America’s education system compared to Japan.

“I think the big difference between here and [Japan] is that here you have a quiz and test mostly every week, and it all goes in your grade,” Tan said, “But in Japan, [the grade] mainly depends on your attitude on the class and are decided by the final exam.”

Halfway across the globe came Pawel Skrzecz (’26) a Samohi student from Poland, Europe. He finds that the main difference between American and Polish education is that American schools require a lot less from students such as only enforcing students to take a minimum of five classes. In Poland, students are required to take the matura exam during their senior year, an exam that will determine if they are eligible to apply to an institution of higher education. In the US, however, Skrzecz believes that students can focus more on themselves.

“School in Poland is much harder than other schools here…there you have a lot more assignments… and need to take 11 or 12 classes,” Skrzecz said. “I think they should put more pressure on kids [in America] to do some things outside of school.”

Trying to

get into

Monserrat Soriano Morales (’27) – a Samohi student from Oaxaca, Mexico – feels that American schools provide more of a challenge than her previous education. In Mexico, college admissions are solely based on grades, while standardized tests like the PSAT or SAT are not taken into account. Morales also finds that American students have more opportunities for scholarships and government aid due to the consideration of extracurriculars and standardized tests in the admissions process.

“I think it’s more hard here when you want to go to college because you have to do a lot of AP, and honors,” Soriano Morales said. “In Mexico, there’s no honors or AP, so you can only go [to college] with good grades.”

Barsoum Farag (’25) – a student who previously lived in Egypt – believes that American education is less flexible and much simpler than Egyptian education. He explains how students in Egypt often do not learn on campus every day, learning in a process similar to homeschooling or self-studying in the US in which students are required to teach themselves everything. This education system allows for greater flexibility as everything is online. Students can take additional private lessons with tutors if they wish to expand their education beyond what is offered to them through their online courses.

“You don’t have to go to school in Egypt, it’s just a thing that you can do on your own.” Barsoum said, “I prefer school here because it’s a little more fun and super easy for me.”

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the Thanksgiving clurb…

Samo students win award at first Model UN conference of the year

Koi Lerner Staff Writer

On Nov. 9 and 10, Model United Nations (known as Model UN) had its first conference of the 2024 school year.

This conference was led by the UCLA Model United Nations team and held 2,000 students— from both in and out of state— in around 30 committees. Model UN is a club at Samo where students can simulate being delegates from a country and participate in conferences to meet and discuss with Model UN branches from other schools.

During the conference, students would win different kinds of awards, such as honorable mentions, commendations, outstanding delegates and best delegates. Athena Miller (’27) and Lily McGrath (’27) won an award for their research paper on combating deforestation and food insecurity in Latin America. Miller expressed how she and McGrath made their paper and how it felt to win the award.

“When writing the research paper we looked into current innovations and technology used to combat the existing issues so we could build onto those ideas,” Miller said. “We also researched past UN involvement in deforestation and food and nutrition insecurity…We were shocked when we won the research award because it was an exceptionally large conference and so many students worked hard in preparation for it.”

Many of the club’s members—up to 75% of them—were new, with this being their first-ever conference, as the majority of the club graduated last year. But not only have many new seats been filled, the influx of new students has led to a large increase in participation and attendance. To prepare the new students for how conferences would work, the club provided mock conferences and paper outlines. Heather Knight, the club advisor, describes

paper due Oct 25 – a three-week deadline from when they first got their issue. Miller describes the experience of working and speaking at the conference.

“Since BruinMUN is such a large conference, we learned that we need to advocate for ourselves and be confident so our ideas can be heard,” Miller said. “We realized that it was unlikely we were ever going to see any of the other delegates again, so we should give it our all even if we embarrassed ourselves. This experience really taught us that it’s more important to have fun at these conferences instead of becoming overly set on an agenda because you end up being more confident.”

While there are no Model UN conferences this semester, the club is said to have one every month in the spring— one in January, February and possibly March. Knight said the workload that the students deal with each time they attend a conference.

how the new students have changed with a conference under their belt.

“We have all these new little kids coming in,” Knight said. “Their first conference… They now know what’s expected of them at a Model UN conference. So in that regard, I think it went great and now they’re gonna be in a position to understand.”

In early Oct., they were given world issues such as disaster risk reduction, regulation for digital labor, labor rights of children and more. During the conference, the club was stretched over ten committees, each with two issues to be discussed and problem-solved. Once given their issue, students would choose a country, such as Cambodia, Nicaragua, Bangladesh, Singapore and others. The students then came up with proposals from the perspective of said nation. All the research was then put into a

“I think it’s definitely hard to give up two full days on a weekend…” Knight said. “So I know that these kids recognize the sacrifice that is involved in running a program like this and we have to do all the fundraising ourselves and there’s not a whole bunch of support. It’s very much voluntary and from the heart.”

As the club continues to grow, they plan on hosting their conference at Samo during the spring. Miller said it’s reinvigorating to see how people are gaining more interest in Model UN and its leadership.

“We mainly chose to do Model UN to improve our writing and public speaking skills,” Miller said. “It has additionally been extremely fun hanging out with friends and Mrs. Knight during club meetings and conferences. The club is unlike anything we’ve ever been a part of and it has brought us out of our comfort zones while also being a place to make friends.”

Photo by Arata Sakamoto / The Samohi

Photo by Arata Sakamoto / The Samohi

Photo by Arata Sakamoto / The Samohi

Photo by Arata Sakamoto / The Samohi

Heather Knight / Contributor

Model UN is a club at Samo, where students can simulate being delegates from a country. The club is stretched over ten committees, each with its own two issues that students would discuss and work with other delegates to get their ideas passed by the committee.

Art by Cleo Topp

“Anora”: Frantic fantasies clash with real responsibilities

Jake Bromell Contributor Writer

Sean Baker’s romantic comedy Anora beautifully showcases young talent and refreshing writing through shockingly graphic visuals and sharp dialog. Anora follows the story of a stripper in Brooklyn, working at a club until her life is interrupted by the son of a Russian oligarch. The movie’s story of a sex worker trying to find her way in an ugly world is reminiscent of Federico Fellini’s 1957 Nights of Cabiria, with montages reflective of Benny and Josh Safdie’s Uncut Gems.

In Anora, Baker portrays young love: Ani and Ivan’s (Mark Eydelshteyn) bond is rapid and intense. Over the course of a single week, Ani’s life is turned on its head purely due to Ivan. While Ivan is living in a bachelor’s paradise, escaping responsibilities and over-promising love to a stripper- Ani is sacrificing her work and emotions to commit to their relationship. But while passion is easy to get lost in, responsibility isn’t, and, for 21-year-old Ivan, ridding himself of real-life obligations topples his desire to make things work with Ani.

Anora breaks the Hollywood naivety that seems to be blended into every young love story, while it keeps the passion that is forever imminent in attraction, it doesn’t fail to address the consequences of not-thought-through actions. The film, while winning the Palme d’Or award

and receiving a seven-and-a-half-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival, wasn’t Baker’s best. In comparison to some of his earlier work such as

The Florida Project, certain

plot points were lacking empathy and material. There are a handful of negative nuances that can be assumed in the career of a

sex worker. Such experiences are hinted at throughout the film and Ani’s reactions to certain events, however, the way it’s addressed, blanketed under quippy one-liners, undermines the serious emotional turmoil Ani likely endured.

Cinematographer Drew Daniels’ notable use of classic 35mm film brought a sense of realness to his composition. On numerous occasions in the film, a fix-framed approach was given to scenes where extensive conversation was taking place. This deviates from modern Hollywood, which tends to jump around perspectives, often creating distracting sequences. Daniels comments on his use of film in a Hollywood Reporter interview.

“We just wanted to be a little fly on the wall, watch Ani work, eavesdrop a little bit,” Daniels said.

The most impressive part of the project was its $6 million budget, spectacularly contrasting to the many expensive movie flops of 2024. This relatively small budget led to clever use of sets, and costumes (or lack there of).

Anora’s opening weekend has already raked in $20 million, and has continued to topple its initial price as weeks progress.

Rumbles and rivalries: Samo eater’s “ e

Captivating. Heartfelt. Truly immersive. Samo theater’s adaptation of “ e Outsiders” by S.E. Hinton drew the audience into the complex emotional struggles of the young Greasers and Socials. In a mix of poignant and upli ing moments, Samo’s Humanities Center was lled with laughter, gasps, and sorrow.

Featuring two casts, “ e Outsiders” follows 14-year-old Ponyboy Curtis (Jolie Jurenka (’25) and Titus Auger (’25)), who doesn’t quite t in with the rest of his gang, the Greasers. Set in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the rival teenage gangs of the Socials and the Greasers combat each other, themselves, and

the dichotomy between rich and poor.

Seeing either cast made for a well-cra ed experience. Each actor’s unique and dynamic interpretation of their roles added a layer of nuance to the performance. Carlie Ann Kau man (’25) who played Two-Bit (additionally played by Mia Pervan (’27)) and Oona Schulweis (’25) who played Dallas Winston (additionally played by Valentino Lavin-Diez (’26)), elaborate on their acting experiences.

“My favorite part of acting is the life I can personally bring to each character. ere are billions of people in the world that can play this character, but how are you going to make it yours?” said Kau man.

“It was de nitely out of my comfort zone, but it was really fun getting to play with a di erent side of myself,” said Schulweis.

In both Jurenka and Auger’s short monologues to the audience throughout the show, their deliberate in ection and pauses in their lines showed a deep understanding of the character Ponyboy. ey explain how they got in touch with their characters to bring each perspective to life.

“I focused a lot on connecting with the audience to make Ponyboy a character the audience was constantly rooting for,” said Jurenka “being as open as possible so they could see the whole world through Ponyboy’s lens.”

“I feel like a lot of it was just channeling my inner 14-year-old,” Auger said. “Just acting a little immature and not knowing how to handle the more serious things was a good representation of how to play Ponyboy.” e audience was moved in watching the production by emotional stage ghting and famous lines. e choreographed combat was both clearly well rehearsed and surprisingly authentic. Each tumble, kick and slap was followed by a gasp from the crowd.

Johnny Cade’s (played by Sophie Castellanos (’26) and Elliot Decker (’25)) pivotal quote, “Ponyboy stay gold,” delivery by both actors was genuine and struck a chord with the audience. Castellanos re ects on her process in portraying Johnny.

“Breath(e)” in art at the Hammer

“Breath(e): Towards Climate and Social Justice” is an immersive art exhibit at the Hammer Museum, premiering Sep 14 and closing on Jan 5, 2025. “Breath(e)” features a diverse set of creatives displaying their call to action on the climate crisis and social issues everywhere. e title correlates to breathing as a symbolic act of resistance and survivalopening eyes to racial inequity and withstanding the global health crisis.

Yoshimoto Nara is a beloved artist who usually portrays valuing individuality, rebellion, and imagination, through drawings of children. Nara’s statement painting is an homage to Greta unburg, a Swedish climate activist. One painting portrays a girl, likely a young unburg holding a sign saying, “School Strike for Climate” in Swedish. Famously, unberg protested by sitting outside the Riksdag, a Swedish government body, every day during school hours with

a sign that read “Skolstrejk för klimatet” (“school strike for climate”), pleading for the Swedish government to reduce carbon emissions. Nara collaborated with several artists to portray issues of climate change, with an additional focus of the exhibit being moments that embodied 2020.

ese topics covered the epidemic COVID-19, Black Lives Matter, Asian hate crimes, and rights over Indigenous land. It’s especially emotional because it felt like the known world was ending for many, with a physical, and psychological lockdown. ere is no denying a link between social and environmental justice. ere is a burden on countless shoulders of climate tragedies. e social issues are truly seen in Cannupa Hanksa Luger’s abstract sculptures of Indian chiefs with veins being shown; encapsulating the vulnerability of Indigenous people with the injustice they experience and theloss of territory today. Paintings such as Sandy Rodriguez’ “Plant Medicine #2” showcase an extraordinary oasis, using contemporary geopolitics. Rodriguez used bioregional mapping, a technique of mapping that emphasizes natural landscapes

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Outsiders”

“I wanted to tap into the fact that these are kids, that this is someone’s story out there… being able to tell other people’s stories who aren’t able to tell them themselves is really powerful and special,” said Castellanos. Behind the lively stage the stagehands and production team tirelessly worked to make this show appear fully seamless. Lighting set the mood for a wild rumble or a compassionate heart to heart. Combined with this, sound e ects like the revving of a mustang engine brought the audience even further into the story.

Costume, hair and makeup all additionally enhanced the experience. With a rougher street-ware look to the Greasers and a more upper-class, collegiate look to the Socials. Along with the of gra tied walls and set designed to appear more run down, as if it was from the Greasers side of town, it put the audience back in 1960’s Oklahoma.

By the closing scene of the show, every person in the theater erupted in ongoing applause. ey were le not only re ecting on the incredible retelling of the story of divided worlds they just witnessed but also on the relationships and struggles that shape them. rough profound acting, directing and collaboration behind the stage, Samo theater created a powerfully moving production.

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over man-made environments. is piece also is inspired by the writings of people in Central Mexico a er the Spanish conquest in 1519-21, which revealed just how much it devastated the native population.

LaToya Ruby Fraziers’ photographs of people in environmental catastrophes, such as the Flint water crisis, portray the hardship that environmental ruin is bringing upon humans. is ties into how the pieces make us wonder which ones of speak for the agency of earth, trees, ocean, and air. Demonstrated in many di erent ways, such as balance and connection with the land through models for future generations, of the earth. ese models include land, and the impact of anthropogenic violence on humans over the years.

Art by Raha Ghoroghichian thesamohinews@gmail.com

Alisa Ingnatenko Staff Writer

Emma Godfrey Staff Writer

Sam Kaplan Fernández/ Contributor

The Greasers Gang, (left to right) Carlie Kauffman (‘25), Deegan Mathews (‘25), Elliot Decker (‘25), Titus Auger (‘25), Valentino Lavin-Diez (‘26) and Lux Auslander (‘27).

Sam Kaplan Fernández/ Contributor

Art by Kayman Mangan

Alisa Ignatenko/ The Samohi

A Sandy Rodriguez painting showing an oasis in Central Mexico native territory prior to colonization.

Jolie Jurenka (‘25) (left) and Mia Pervan (‘27) (right) look over the newspaper.

Love, Acceptance and Equality: “The Prom”

“The Prom,” at the Morgan Wixson Theater had their opening show on Nov. 9 featuring Samo students Walden Sullivan (’25), Andy Rowles (’25), Sahar Aguilar (’26), Sterling Inatsugu (’27), Maia Goldberg (’28), Cole Huang (’28),

Mia Negrete (’28) and Ethan Schwartz (’28). The musical is based on the work of Bob Martin (book), Chad Beguelin (book and lyrics) and Matthew Sklar (music), and allows these accomplished students to pursue theater off campus.

“The Prom” follows Barry Glickman (Sullivan) and his group of Broadway star friends who are all out of work, and in a slump. On their journey to “selflessly” regain fame, they travel to Edgewater, Indiana to support a high school

girl, Emma Nolan, who was banned from going to the prom with her girlfriend.

Sullivan was fully immersed in his character. He expressed Barry Glickman’s over-the-top and eccentric side with each of his dramatic yet genuine facial expressions met with many laughs from the audience. Instead of simply stating lines, Sullivan truly delivered them, bursting out into a little dance break, his acting was bigger than life. Although originally only plotting to revive his career, the audience was touched as Sullivan connected on stage with Hartmann, helping her find her confidence as she got ready to go to prom.

“I love getting reactions from the audience and I’m always just thinking about what would get them going this time, so I just love the interaction with audiences,” said Sullivan. In supporting roles were Rowles, playing the character of Sheldon Saperstein, Glickman’s Broadway publicist, and high school students Shelby (played by Aguilar) and Nick (played by Inatsugu). All thoughtfully and precisely depicted their characters, Rowles in a slightly humorous, yet more serious tone, and Aguilar and Inatsugu playing more immature and incentive teenagers. Aguilar and Inatsugu stunningly portrayed both of their characters’ development and growth through the show, to becoming more accepting and loving people.

“Although I didn’t agree with most of the morals she [Shelby] had, I feel like she just somewhat went along with social norms, so it was interesting to put that into how I can relate to her, and to how she felt she needed to fit in,” said Aguilar.

In addition, Goldberg, Huang, Negrete and Schwartz,

played in the ensemble, elevating the show with energetic and dynamic interactions with other cast members.

These exceptional Samo students kept the audience captivated, and performed a show that filled the theater with laughter. By the end of the play they had created an atmo-

sphere of compassion and acceptance that left the audience with an inspired and heartwarming feeling.

“The Prom” has been playing for three consecutive weeks, and still has two more performances playing Dec. 6 and Dec. 7. To catch Sullivan’s last performance, be sure to see the Saturday, Dec. 7 show!

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Disney and decisions: Stepping stones in Samo music

Southern California Vocal Association (SCVA) is an exclusive choir event held at the University of Redlands that brings together some of the most talented young singers. After the selective audition process, performances were held Nov. 7-9. This event offers incredible experiences to perform alongside students from all over Southern California. This year, eight Samo students auditioned and got accepted to participate in this selective competition. Students who perform well during regionals have the opportunity to move on to the next level: a state competition. This is a great opportunity for students to showcase their vocal skills and experience performing with a talented group of peers. For these students, SCVA is not just about the competition, but a chance to pursue singing outside the classroom and push themselves as musicians.

Nine Samo students preformed in SCVA, Adam Silverman (’25), Leah Boumel (’25), Celine Hutchinson (’25), Charles Blanchard (’25) and Harper McCallum (’26) whom are all apart of madrigal ensemble, the highest choir level at Samo. Additionally, Ansel Brodkin (’27), Emily Whaley (’25) and Zoey Jaffa (’27) who are in Chorale choir, and Karin Cervantes (’26) in Chamber.

For Silverman SCVA is a chance to prove his individual growth as a singer. Silverman was apart of the SATB choir. Silverman reflected on the experience and discussed how the choir has been an important part of his life, starting in fourth grade. Silverman’s motivation stems from the joy of performance and personal growth.

“It means that I proved to myself that I can do this. This is my third time doing SCVA, and each time it’s a step into a more advanced choir. It’s about taking that next step and getting better…there have been times where I thought about stopping, but being on stage and the connection I have with my director, thats what keeps me going,” said Silverman. Charles Blanchard (’25) is another student

ticipating in SCVA. Blanchard was apart of TTBB choir, and was qualified for All-State but did not choose to follow through. Blanchard expressed how SCVA has deepened his respect for the musical process. His commitment to choir is rooted in his love for music and the power it holds.

“I’ve learned to respect where people are in their musical development and to meet them where they are… it’s about helping people grow and being patient with each other, music is something that connects people in a way that words can’t,” said Blanchard.

Celine Hutchinson was in SSAA choir, and did not sign up to be considered for All-State.

Hutchinson shared how participating in SCVA is an opportunity to grow both musically and personally. Hutchinson has been singing since third grade and believes SCVS is an especially powerful experience.

“Being in choir means being vulnerable, being able to open up during rehearsals, and working closely with people. It’s not just about the music, it’s about how you connect with the group. SCVA was one of the largest choirs I’ve ever been in, and the music was new, and the directors were different. It’s inspiring to be around people who are so passionate about choir,” said Hutchinson.

Leah Boumel is a second-year participant in SCVA whom was apart of SSAA, emphasized the importance of community and connection in choir. Boumels motivation to continue in choir is tied to her relationships built with others.

“The most important thing I’ve learned is working together as a team, and being a leader without being overbearing, it’s about lifting each other up. I’ve grown to love choir more because of the community, you become so close with the people you sing with,” said Boumel.

While most students have chosen not to continue further with the event, some, such as McCallum and Cervantes have advanced to All-States to continue their SCVA journey.

Samohi Philharmonic Orchestra Disney Land performance, held on Nov. 20 has been the build-up of much preparation and excitement. For weeks the orchestras musicians have been preparing

for this performance at the iconic theme park. From long rehearsals to fine-tuning specifics at home, the orchestra has put so much time into perfecting each song performed.

For many students, this will be their first time performing at Disneyland, Maeko Gross (’25) a flutist who joined the orchestra this year is confident in the orchestra’s ability to pull off a successful concert.

“I think we’re going to do a great job as I’ve been seeing so much dedication to this. All this hard work is definitely going to pay off when we finally play at Disney,” said Gross.

The orchestra’s conductor, Mr. Wang, had been pushing the musicians to refine every detail of their performance, guaranteeing a successful show.

“We’ve been practicing consistently during school, after school, and at home. Mr. Wang is very particular about how he wants the orchestra to sound and so we practice all the time to get our sound to the best it can be,” said Gross.

The dedication is evident as students like Gross and her fellow musicians continue to rehearse their pieces. Luke Shimahara (’26), a fellow member of the Philharmonic orchestra, shares his excitement around the event.

“I’m excited to perform at Disney. We have been practicing a lot, and I think it’s going to be really fun,” said Shimahara.

Through rigorous preparations, the orchestra brought to life a successful and magical concert. Despite some setbacks, including the last-minute decision to cut Symphony No. 5, the orchestra remained strong, with their communication and adaptability reflected in their performance. Emily Umana (’25), a cellist, was impressed by her fellow musician’s ability to adapt and work together.

“The amount of communication that our orchestra had really proved how strong we were,” said Umana.

Beyond the concert itself, the trip served as an opportunity to bond and strengthen the sense of community within the orchestra. Riley Schreier (’25), a violist reflected on the camaraderie of the trip.

“It was fun being able to go to the park and hang out with my friends…Playing wasn’t necessarily the highlight of the day, but spending time with my orchestra friends made the trip so special,” said Schreier.

Many students were highlighted in the performance, including oboist Liam Fitzpatrick (’26) who had many featured solos. Schreir shared that her favorite piece of the day was Pocahontas, particularly because of the more prominent viola parts, which made the piece especially engaging to play.

“We don’t get the melody often, so it was exciting to be more involved,” said Schreier.

With the Disneyland performance now behind them, the orchestra is focusing on upcoming events, including their Winter concert held on Dec. 10 and the March tour 28-31.

Hope Wang Staff Writer

Miriam Billington/ Contributor Sahar Aguilar (‘26) receives a Promposal as Sterling Inatsugu (’27) cheers her on in the crowd.

Hope Wang/ The Samohi Hope Wang/ The Samohi Leah Boumell, SCVA nominee. Adam Silverman, SCVA nominee.

Hope Wang/ The Samohi Celine Hutchinson, SCVA nominee. Hope Wang/ The Samohi Charles Blanchard, SCVA nominee.

Miriam Billington/ Contributor

Walden Sullivan (‘25) performs with his Broadway star group at a monster truck rally advocating for LGBTQ+ rights.

The

Hope Wang/ The Samohi

Samo Orcehstra preforms at the Imagination Campus in Disneyland.

Hope Wang Staff Writer

Hope Wang/ The Samohi Samo Orchestra director Jim Wang conducts the disney preformance.

Emma Godfrey Staff Writer

LA Galaxy to conference final, LAFC fall short

Ryan Colvin Staff Writer

The Los Angeles Galaxy and Los Angeles Football Club were battling it out for first place in the MLS Western Conference throughout the 2024 regular season, in what has been the most competitive year for the rivalry since LAFC’s establishment a decade ago. The Galaxy spent much of the year in the driver’s seat, but it was LAFC who came out on top during the dying embers of the season.

LAFC pulled off decisive wins in their final two games of the regular season, putting them level on points with their crosstown rivals. All the Galaxy needed was a draw from their final game to retain their top spot, but a last-second goal from their former player Daniel Steres sealed a dramatic win for the Houston Dynamo and handed LAFC the top seed via goal differential. This was the tightest race in the Western Conference since the 2017 campaign and a season that has helped Ry Bardacke (’25) consider “El Tráfico” to be one of the best rivalries in California sports.

“El Tráfico is the best of the California rivalries; LAFC has been the more dominant team since it was founded, but this year is definitely the most competitive yet,” Bardacke said. “I’ve been to several El Tráfico games and the energy is always special. There’s something about rivalry games which brings out passion in all the supporters.”

The Galaxy, founded in 1994, has used its market as a Los Angeles team to attract some of the biggest names the league has ever seen, such as European stars Steven Ger-

rard, David Beckham and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Galaxy reached the MLS final nine times within its first 20 seasons as a club and won the cup five times, more than any other team to date. Yet, they haven’t reached the final since the 2014 campaign, the year in which LAFC was brought into the fray.

LAFC was able to follow a similar business model to that of the Galaxy upon their inauguration into the MLS. The excitement surrounding a new Los Angeles team brought in a plethora of foreign talent and helped them avoid the long developing period you might expect from a new franchise. LAFC have made the playoffs every season in their ten-year history thus far, and won the MLS cup in 2022.

Despite LAFC enjoying more recent success, fixtures ways remain tight and ico has produced ments for

the sport, including setting the all-time MLS attendance record with 82,110 at their Fourth of July matchup in 2023. Headlined by big names and the cultural fight between both fanbases feeling they represent the “real” LA, fans such as Samo math teacher Nicole Yumori feel that fixtures between the Galaxy and LAFC have a notable spirit to them.

“My husband and I are part of the 3252, which is the Independent Supporters Union for LAFC,” Yumori said. “The atmosphere is always electric at BMO, but El Tráfico always turns it up a notch. Every time LAFC and Galaxy play each other, the atmosphere and energy resonates like a championship game with everything on the line.”

Both teams share nearly identical records against each other - the Galaxy with ten wins and nine for LAFC, with five draws shared between the two. Additionally, both teams have a nearly equal goal tally of 52-51 in favor of the Galaxy across all of their head-to-head fixtures so far. This makes their rivalry the most statistically competitive in any league, but this season is the first time that the league table has also reflected this intensely close battle.

The Galaxy hit their stride in round one of the MLS playoffs, beating the Colorado Rapids 5-0 and 4-1 respectively to complete the sweep. LAFC advanced to the next round as well - after suffering a 3-0 defeat, they pulled off a 1-0 win in the definitive game three. In the conference semifinals, LAFC fell short against the Seattle Sounders whilst the Galaxy pulled off a statement 6-2 victory over Minnesota United. Now, the Galaxy sit just two wins away from their first MLS title since LAFCs league debut.

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Marching band’s championship run reflects both art and athletics

Leo Lucente Staff Writer

Samo’s marching band finished their season 4th in 5A with a score of 88.2 at Championships this past Saturday, Nov. 23. While the band’s performance is undeniably an achievement, it resurfaces the challenge of categorizing marching band as either a sport or a performing art. Marching band walks a fine line between physical performance and artistic expression, blending musical talent with technical skill and athleticism, making it tough to distinguish the activity as either a sport or an art.

Marching band does not compete in CIF but instead the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association (SCSBOA). With roughly 105 musicians, Samo’s band competes in the second largest division, 5A, which includes bands of 81-120 people. The band, led by Kevin McKeown, vice president Tehmina Zarin (’26), president Shayna Kadish (’25) and drum majors Silas Tropea-Lester (’26) and Sadie Pearlman (’25), perform the same 6-8

minute routine throughout the season. This year the routine’s theme is the Sword and the Stone, and the ballad is “Enjoy the Silence” by Depeche Mode.

“It’s kind of like gymnastics, you learn a routine and you just keep working out the small parts of the routine,” Tropea-Lester said. “It’s like if 100 people learned a routine and you had to make them do it the same way.”

In addition to attending and playing at home football games, marching band’s season consists of six competitions which are held across Southern California and last for roughly 15 hours. Trumpet section leader Matti Scott (’26) explains a typical competition.

“Our day starts at 9:30 with a 2-3 hour rehearsal at Samo. Then we’ll drive 45 or so minutes to the competition. A typical competition will have 20-30 schools and the smaller bands, like 1A, perform first and big bands later so we normally perform at like 9 PM,” Scott said.

“Once all the bands are done we have an award ceremony and drive back to Samo. We usually get back around 11 PM but we’ve gotten back closer to 1 AM a couple times.”

Coming off a successful last season, scoring 91.1 out of 100 points --the highest the band has scored under McKeown-- at championships to secure second place in 5A, the Vikings had high hopes for this year. And although the team started out seemingly slow with scores of 77.1, 79.6 and 81.6 in their first three competitions, the Vikings still placed well, finishing on the podium at all three tournaments. Tropea-Lester had an explanation for the band’s low scores.

“The judges this year were grading teams really harshly,” Tropea-Lester said. “It does even out but it sometimes feels wrong even, but that’s not the end of the world.”

Nonetheless the Vikings picked up form on Nov. 14., scoring 84.85 at their penultimate competition, the Camarillo Classic Field Tour-

nament. The Vikings closed out the regular season well, scoring 87.5 and taking first place for 5A at the West Ranch Field Tournament on Nov. 16.

Going into Championships ranked third and with a season-best of 87.5, Tropea-Lester was hopeful the team could score better than last year and contend for the 5A title.

“I do think that there’s a little bit of finals inflation. I mean last year, at our last competition, we scored 87.6,” Tropea-Lester said.

Marching band is evaluated by five judges—three for music performance and two for marching execution. Of the total 100 points, 60 are allocated for music and 40 for visual performance. This 3:2 ratio highlights the intricate balance of athleticism and artistry that defines marching band.

Marching band, an AM course at Samo, counts for PE credit like any other sport would, but isn’t listed under fall sports on the Samo athletics website. Also, and as previously mentioned, marching band doesn’t compete within CIF, California’s governing body for high school athletics. Despite this, Tropea-Lester considers marching band a sport.

“It does require the physical activity that a sport requires and it is competitive,” Tropea-Lester said. “I think it’s a sport.”

Trumpet section leader Scott weighs in on the debate.

“I would consider marching band a physical performing art,” Scott said. “It doesn’t require as much conditioning as say football but it requires a lot of technique.”

Although Scott doesn’t consider it a sport, the section leader believes people should recognize the skill that is required in marching band.

“It is kind of just glorified walking but it is pretty hard to be able to walk, first of all, in time with good technique throughout the routine,” Scott said. “Not only do you have to be coordinated, to be able to walk in time and kind of

calculate how far you need to go, but you also need to be able to play your instrument while doing that, which is hard because you’re moving, you’re bobbing up and down, which means that your airflow isn’t steady and consistent. There’s just a lot of really, really technical things

that come into being able to march well.”

In the last two weeks of summer vacation, marching band has a two week long summer training program to prepare the musicians for their season. Monday through Friday, band members are subject to physical conditioning and practice technical marching from noon to 8 PM.

Whether one considers marching band a sport or not is subjective. What is clear, however, is that the Vikings have worked hard this year.

“10 out of 10 people who are not in marching band probably believe that it’s not a sport, but I would just like people to know that we do stuff more than just sitting there at the football games and playing for the football team,” Tropea-Lester said.

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Professional athletes utilize Samo sports facilities

Sia Kresch Staff Writer

On Nov. 3 and 4, the San Antonio Spurs, a National Basketball Association (NBA) team, rented out Samo’s gym in preparation for their match against the Los Angeles Clippers. From NBA teams such as the Denver Nuggets, San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat, Brooklyn Nets and the Oklahoma City Thunder to the U.S. Olympic Artistic Swimming Team, professional sports teams have been renting Samo’s sports facilities for years. Brian Part, Samo’s Sports Facility Coordinator and former basketball coach, has helped organize these on-campus trainings.

“One of my favorite times helping facilitate an event was when Oklahoma City Thunder was here for playoffs and at the time they had three young superstars; Kevin Durant, James Harden and Russell Westbrook,” Part said.

The Thunder spent multiple days at Samo when engaged in their long playoff series with the Lakers in 2012. During their time here, Part witnessed their high-energy, upbeat practices while simultaneously building a connection with the team.

“While they were here, I was able to get to know the coaches and players; we were even able to develop a sort of relationship which is pretty cool,” Part said.

In training for the 2024 Olympics, Team USA’s Artistic

Swimming team rented out Samo’s Olympic-size Drake pool. The team utilized the pool throughout the school day in the months leading up to the Paris Olympics which took place in Aug., where they earned second place. The Olympics are set to take place in Los Angeles in 2028, and Part views this as an exciting opportunity for teams to make use of Samo’s space.

“It was pretty cool to have the US Olympic [Artistic Swimming] team here,” Part said. “I believe it will be a sign of things to come as the Olympics are set to take place here in three years and I have a feeling we’re not only going to have teams from the US here, but other countries as well using our facilities.”

Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District has been known to be very accommodating to these teams, which largely accounts for the popularity of Samo’s spaces.

“Our school and school district are well regarded and have typically been easy to work with in accommodating these kinds of requests,” Part said. “We have a long history of these teams using facilities as the administration staff and facility use department help create and facilitate such events.”

In addition to the many professional teams that have trained at Samo, several different colleges have as well, including North Carolina and Gonzaga University’s men’s basketball teams. The Stanford Women’s basketball team has also made an appearance at the school.

Samo’s representation as a training hub for elite athletes emphasizes the school’s connection to the world of professional sports. By opening doors to Olympic athletes, the NBA and prestigious colleges, Samo offers

Art by Kayman Mangan

Sean Garnett / Contributor

Angie Nuñez of color guard performing at the West Ranch Field tournament on Nov. 16

Sean Garnett / Contributor Ian Garnett performs center stage at the West Ranch Field tournament.

Art by Kayman Mangan

The unseen struggles of the Samo surf team

Ryan Colvin Staff Writer

Samo students have a plethora of opportunities and communities available to them through the school; many of which provide room for freedom and expression that aren’t necessarily centered on campus. The Samo surf team embodies all of these qualities and offers students a chance to represent their school up and down the California coast, still without being considered a CIF sport.

The Samo surf team was instituted in the 2011-’12 school year, led by active coach Marion Clark. Beyond holding practices before school multiple days a week and participating in a wide spread of surf competitions, the team also prioritizes a community aspect. Team members engage in a multitude of volunteer opportunities with Heal the Bay and Surf Bus Foundation, the latter of which allows the team to teach the inner city youth learn how to surf and further develop their way around the ocean. Despite this diverse set of experiences the team offers, not all schools have equal access to these kinds of activities. Conference sports require a certain percentage of equity, and this has kept surfing from being considered an official sport at Samo. Many of the involved students, including co-captain Sierra Pacifici (’25), feel as though their sport deserves far better representation.

“All in all, I would like to see the Athletics Department be more accepting. They include us, but I still wouldn’t say we are accepted into the Samo sports culture,” Pacifici said. “We’ve made so much progress over the years and yet we’re still far behind the surf teams at other schools and the other sports at Samo. There are always extra steps we have to take in order to get what other sports get automatically, to me that’s not accepting.”

Because surfing is not considered an official sport, the school district does not provide the team with any form of transportation to and from school. The involved students are forced to rely on themselves, their family and their coach to transport them to and from practices and competitions in the early hours of the morning as well as during school and work hours. Additionally, this “unofficial” form of transportation has led to students struggling to clear their absences during competitions, a privilege that all other student athletes get while attending away games.

In terms of recognition at school events, the surf team has only ever run out during a pep rally once during their 13 year existence. Despite getting the action permitted for this year’s January rally, surf team social captain and ASB board member Tegan Blaine (’26) faced criticisms after the fact surrounding their inclusion.

“I run the spirit committee in ASB so I was able to get surf into the rally pretty easily, but I did face some backlash after,” Blaine said. “My ASB teacher was very excited about including another sport, but I received emails from teachers asking why surf was in the rally if it wasn’t an official Samohi sport. I just focused on working with the team as a captain to make sure we were spirited and cooperative!”

While the largest factor at hand is that there is simply a lack of opportunity for schools farther from the coast, it is worth considering whether the team is doing enough already to warrant further admission. Surfing is the only sport at Samo that is entirely co-ed; the roster is nearly a 50/50 ratio between boys and girls, but isn’t separated into two separate teams. Additionally, surfing is one of the few high school sports that allows you to experience the unpredictability of nature. While other sports require

boundaries, no wave is predetermined. Surfing allows for the opportunity to develop better instincts and intuition instead of planning for the obvious. The argument remains whether or not exceptions should be made for the Samo surf team, and Coach Clark emphasizes that the team is doing more than enough to deserve some additional involvement.

“Surfing is the state sport of California and it’s finally in the Olympics, yet it’s still seen as a very niche, counterculture activity,” Clark said. “The very first captain of the Samohi Surf Team didn’t have her own equipment until she was a sophomore in high school - she was a state ranked surfer, still borrowing stuff. It would not be hard to bridge these equity gaps. Samohi could do something really rad by giving its surfers a little more and making it easier for them to surf in the morning. My hope is that at 15 years in, they’re seeing that we’re not a high risk sport.”

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HOTLB: How does a good coach impact highschool sports?

Olivia Stephansen Social Media Manager

The impact of a coach can make or break a students’ experience with a sport, especially in high school. A good coach can instill values of hard work, teamwork and discipline, all of which contribute to an athlete’s life outside the game. Instead of breaking the athletes down, good coaches create a strong and safe environment welcome to growth and learning opportunities for their players. Through team building and forming strong relationships with their athletes, a good coach will take a team to the next level.

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Stephansen / The

“The coach that influenced me the most is Coach Hecht because he taught me how to play smarter, helped me get the ball to my team and make the right decisions on offense and also hustle on defense. Having a good coach motivates the team, gets us all fired up and helps team chemistry.”

-Onieli Thruston (’26)

“Coach Sato had a huge influence on me this year because she is always pushing you to be your best and she’s always motivating me to do everything I can to improve. I think if a coach wants you to be successful it will be really helpful for representing the school, academics and athletics.”

-Laila Ghaffari (’27)

“One coach that has had a positive impact on me is Chris Sandoval. He gave me the opportunity to train with a higher level including the varsity soccer team which helped me grow as an individual and gain a lot of knowledge. Having a good coach gets you more access in the realm of sports, ideas and more ways to improve.”

-Nicholas Youssef (’27)

“Ramsey Lambert has had a super positive impact on me because of his passion for flag football and the effort he’s put into my team and my experience with flag football. I think it’s important to have a good coach because they influence your values and set good expectations and standards.”

-Jayla Johnson-Lake (’25)

“Coach Vonzie influenced me as a person throughout football because of the way he coached and the way he talked to us. While we were practicing he would always tell us to do our best no matter what. He wouldn’t push us to the point where we wouldn’t want to play the sport anymore, he kept the love for the game in tact.”

-Simon Rodriquez (’26)

“Our coach Ms. Pazzi came in while we had a really bad main coach, she made people feel cared for and actually paid attention to players. I think that’s important as a highschool team because there’s much going on. Having a coach who understands that and listens to your concerns can make the whole process of high school sports much easier.”

-Drew Sievers (’25)

How athletes are boosting sports viewership worldwide

Sia Kresh Staff Writer

From Caitlin Clark’s ability to represent strong female athletes to Jared Mccain’s ability to bring in a younger crowd, a new wave of sports fans have been formed. Many sport surrounded fan bases aren’t just built off of the love for the sport, but also from seeing the athletes you admire and look up to on the big screen.

This year, the Indiana Fever drafted Caitlin Clark from the University of Iowa to play for The Women’s National Basketball Team (WNBA). Clark’s star status while playing for the Iowa Hawkeyes caught the attention of many, drawing in a crowd of 18.9 million (ESPN Press Room) for the final between Iowa and South Carolina. This game became the most watched women’s college basketball game of all time. Eager to see where Clark’s basketball career would go, 2.45 million (TIME) fans, new and old, tuned in to watch the WNBA draft, including Samo student Kaveh Naini (’26).

“The way she was fully able to take control of the game in college during March Madness was really interesting to watch and I was interested in seeing how her game would translate to the WNBA,” Naini stated. “She reminded me of watching a young Stephen Curry and it sparked my interest in the league [WNBA].”

Clark and other rookies such as Angel Reese, a player on the Chicago Sky, have had major impacts on the overall increase

in viewership of the WNBA. Clark and Reese have been rivals since their times playing college basketball, and fans anxiously awaited to see them compete in a regular season game. The much anticipated game took place on June 23 bringing in 2.3 million viewers (NY Times), marking the most viewed WNBA game in over 23 years.

Over the past couple of years, Major League Baseball has caught the attention of many Japanese baseball fans and American fans alike. Although Japan has their own popular baseball league, the Nippon Professional Baseball, Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s performance in the MLB’s World Series escalated the popularity and viewership of this sport by millions. Game two of the Yankees versus Dodgers World Series game drew in an average of 15.9 million Jap-

anese viewers (MLB), making it the most ever viewed post season game in the country. Game one of the series had an average of 14.9 million viewers in Japan (MLB), making it the second most watched game in the country.

While viewers typically only see the game-ready, focused side of an athlete, some athletes such as Jerad Mccain, a NBA player for the Philadelphia 76ers, test this idea. During Duke’s 2024 March Madness run, Mccain posted a video of himself and his teammates dancing in the locker room post victory over the Houston Cougars. The video went viral and Mccain’s online popularity has only sky-rocketed since then. The NBA star now has a combined following of around 5.3 million from both Instagram and Tiktok. Through his social media presence, fans have been able to connect with different sides of Mcain and his personality, challenging the usual idea that athletes are one-dimensional. His light-hearted and open personality have drawn many Tik Tok-based fans to the NBA, curious to watch Mccain and others with large platforms.

Samo football player Pierce Malayil (’26) has also had similar experiences of discovering athletes through social media. Having a player to look up to is something important to Malayil and it has made him an overall better athlete.

“Athletes draw in fans by their name, image, and likeness,” Malayil said. “One athlete I look up to is Tez Johnson, a football for the University of Oregon; I watch his highlight reels on YouTube, and it inspires me to be a better player.”

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Art by Kayman Mangan

Olivia

Samohi Olivia Stephansen / The Samohi Olivia Stephansen / The Samohi Olivia Stephansen / The Samohi Olivia Stephansen / The Samohi Olivia Stephansen / The Samohi

The Samo Surf Team celebrates after completing the SBSSA Kick Off Classic finals on 11/21/24 at the Santa Monica Beach.

Marion Clark / Contributer

Girls’ volleyball wins league, makes deep playoff run

Athena Barefoot Staff Writer

The Santa Monica High School girls’ varsity volleyball team completed their 2024 fall season as Ocean League champions with a record of 21-6-1, ending their season in the third round of the CIF Southern Section division four playoffs.

The girls’ volleyball team’s season officially started on Aug. 31 with a win against the Brentwood High School Eagles. Throughout September, the Vikings won 14 out of their 16 games played. The Vikings then went on a sixgame winning streak leading into their win against Culver City High School on Oct. 15, making them the Ocean League champions and securing their spot in the CIF Southern Section playoffs.

Captain Jasmine Martinez (’26) explains how the team prepared for the CIF playoffs and the pride they had for making it as far as they did.

“This is the farthest we’ve made it at CIF in a while, so we were really proud of that. We worked really really hard in practice and we looked at the other teams that we were playing against and figured out what we needed to work on to beat them, like the strengths and weaknesses they

might have and then we focused on trying to improve on those things,” Martinez said.

The Samo girls’ volleyball team’s CIF Southern Section Playoffs run started on Oct. 26 with a 3-0 win against Hillcrest High School. Their next CIF game was on Oct. 30 against Newbury Park High School, which resulted in a 2-3 loss for Samo, and elimination from playoffs.

Despite their elimination from playoffs, captain Jane Robinson (’25) continues to have pride in her team and is excited about how far they have come.

“We won league and grew so much over this season. We also went the farthest we have in playoffs since I’ve been here, we made it to the third round and it was a super close game. That was really exciting,” Robinson said.

Coach Liane Sato is proud of the team’s progression through the past few years and is excited for the seasons to come.

“I’m really proud of the team for making it as far as they did in playoffs, they worked their asses off in practice and it showed in the game,” Sato said. “This is the farthest they’ve gotten in probably over 5 years and I’m really excited to see where they will go in 2025 and other future seasons, but I’m gonna miss the seniors from this year.”

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Girls’ golf: Leadership and resilience mark ’24 season

Hope Wang Staff Writer

The Santa Monica High School girls’ varsity golf team wrapped up the 2024 fall season with a record of 1-6, finishing fifth in their league. Despite some overall struggles, individual achievements highlighted the team’s success this season. Both team captains, Frances Aguilar (’26) and Cash Henton (’25) made significant strides, with Aguilar advancing to the first round of CIF and Henton making it to league finals.

Henton’s journey was a testament to her consistent leadership and positivity throughout the season. Though she did not qualify for CIF, her performance at league was a highlight, finishing off the year strong. Henton expressed optimism for the team’s future, placing trust in Aguilar’s leadership as the team continues to grow next year.

“I made sure I practiced a lot on the range and got especially good at my short game because that’s really im -

portant, and then, made sure that all the other girls were confident and ready to play… I think Frances [Aguilar] is really good at telling them what to do, so I think they will be prepared in her hands,” Henton said.

Aguilar, who had a standout season, spoke about the season with her team and her experience at CIF.

“I had a really good time overall. I got to play with some amazing and skilled girls. I am very grateful for the experience,” Aguilar said.

Both the captains’ and the team’s journey throughout this season was full of growth, resilience and determination. Coach Roshni Mejia is proud of the girls’ progress, emphasizing the team’s continuous improvement.

“It was so fun to see how much this team bonded this year; I’m excited for what’s next and to see even more improvement,” Mejia said.

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Football looks to next season after missing playoffs

The Samo Vikings’ football season officially started on Aug. 23 with their 26-0 win against Chino Hills High School. After ten games in the regular season, the Vikings

ended with an overall record of 4-6 and a record of 1-5 in the Pioneer League. Coming off a strong ’23-24 season where Samo made it to the CIF finals, the Vikings worked to reciprocate that this season.

Head Coach Carter Paysinger reflects on the outcome of this season, and how he strives to build character outside of the game.

“It was a tough year for us but in many ways, it was a successful year because there were a lot of kids that did nice things,” Paysinger said. “We have the same goals every year, we bring our program on life lessons, and we want to hammer on those life skills to become better people than we were before the season started.”

Before the official league season started, Samo played five non-league games. Three of those games resulted in victories against Sylmar, Hueneme and Chino; the other two resulted in losses to West Torrance and Laguna. Although the Vikings built up some momentum throughout those wins, they still fell short of making the CIF Playoffs.

The Vikings’ official league games started on Oct. 4, with an away game against North Torrance, taking a close 14-21 loss after North Torrance completed a 13-yard touchdown. With a victory against South Torrance, Samo improved their record from 0-1 to 1-1. Giovanni Crabtree (’25) contributed two touchdowns along with Charles Cravings (’25) who contributed five receptions, leading the Vikings to victory.

Team captains Charles Cravings, Samuel Reynoso (’25), Jeremy Guerrero (’25) and Ezra Klein (’25) led the team through this 2024 season during their final year at Samo. Captain Samuel Reynoso shared his favorite moment in his last season as a Samo Viking.

“My favorite game has to be against Chino because it

was my last first game with the program and with the team. It was a great way to start the season out with a huge win,” Reynoso said.

The team finished off their season with a 13-49 loss against Peninsula, concluding the Vikings’ 2024 season. Paysinger looks to next season, highlighting Samo’s next year’s senior players.

“Next season we can expect a lot from juniors Wyatt Brown, Payton Seals, and Jackson Nelson, who brought out a lot this year and who we can expect to see great things from next year,” Paysinger said.

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Yaretzi Preza Staff Writer

Jasmine Martinez hits the ball during the Vikings’ 3-0 victory against Beverly Hills on Oct. 7.

Catherine Aguilar / Contributer

Frances Aguilar (’26) prepares to swing on Sept. 24 against El Segundo High School in a narrow loss of 67-60.

David E. Huunzicker / Contributer

Jaxon Lee (’26) makes a move on a defender leading to a first down away at Torrance on Oct. 26.

Brooke Meshekow/ Contributor

David E. Huunzicker / Contributer

Myles Lee (’28) catches a ball and creates space for a first down against Palos Verdes Peninsula at home on Nov. 1.

Flag football shines with a double victory in both league and playoffs

Kayman Mangan

Art Editor

The Samo varsity flag football team finished their 2024 season off as both Ocean League and CIF Southern Section Division IV champions. Being crowned Ocean League champions for the second season in a row, the Vikings ended their regular season with an undefeated 6-0 league record and an overall record of 13-6.

Samo took home the victory at their first CIF matchup on Oct. 22 against the Cabrillo Jaguars, with a final score of 26-6. They next faced the Estancia Eagles on Oct. 26 away from home, defeating the hosts with a 25-14 score. A few days after their win against the Eagles, the Vikings hosted the 13-2 Windward Wildcats on Oct. 29, facing off in a high-energy game and walking off the field with a victorious 12-8 score. Following the three wins, the team traveled to Montebello, CA, to match up against the Schurr Spartans for their fourth CIF game on Nov. 2. The team reigned victorious once again, finishing with a tally of 13-7. On Nov. 9, the Vikings defeated the Fullerton Indians 28-6 in the CIF Southern Section division four final, concluding their successful season as CIF champions.

Reflecting on the hard work and determination it took to

achieve both of these new titles, running back Kamila Soto (’26), is proud to be a part of the Vikings roster.

“It felt so good, not only for myself but knowing how much work everyone put in, especially the coaches, and considering it’s the first year of flag football CIF and we won is crazy,” Soto said. “Two out of two years league winners is also insane. I’m so fortunate to be able to be on this team and I’m excited to see what next year holds.”

Following their CIF title win, star players Anica Mindes and Jayla Johnson-Lake were chosen to compete in the Los Angeles Chargers’ inaugural girls’ flag football All-Star game, where the Chargers hosted the top 70 girls’ flag football athletes from Los Angeles and Orange County to face off in a ceremonial match at SoFi stadium.

Johnson-Lake was thrilled for the opportunity to play in the All-Star game.

“It just doesn’t feel real. I didn’t think I would ever be selected, but I’m really excited to play and see what it’s like as I’ve never experienced something like this before,” Johnson-Lake said.

With the 2024 fall season now behind them, the Samo flag football team has all eyes on next year. Kalea Oshidari (’26) shared her pride in the team’s success across the season and has high aspirations for what the future holds.

“I’m so proud of our team and I wouldn’t have wanted to win with any other group of girls,” Oshidari said. “Because flag football is still a growing sport, we don’t have state, but I’m sure in future years we will and we’ll win that too.”

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Girls tennis CIF championship match marks end of historic season

Raha Ghoroghchian Art Editor

For the first time in Samo history, the girls’ tennis team made it all the way to CIF championships, marking the end of the historic ’24-’25 season. With an overall record of 15-4, and a league record of 7-1, the team holds the title of 2024 Ocean League Champions and CIF Division 3 southern section finalists.

On Samo girls’ tennis 50th anniversary, the team’s success in Ocean Leagues and CIFs this year was particularly meaningful. In the 50 years since girls’ tennis was officially recognized at Samo in 1974, the team hasn’t made it as far in CIF playoffs as they did this year. To co-captain Avey Thompson (’25), the team’s dedication this season shone through in their performance.

“While this season was certainly memorable for me as an individual, winning Ocean League singles champion with an undefeated record, I will always remember fondly first the team bus rides, dinners, and inside jokes we all shared,” Thompson said. “My four years on the Samohi girls’ tennis team will always hold a special place in my heart, but none can trump the wonderful memories of the amazing girls I got to play alongside in my final year.”

The team started strong from the beginning of their season, a mindset they carried through to the CIF Playoffs. Some of the Vikings’ most notable wins were an 18-0 match against Inglewood,

a 16-2 victory against Beverly Hills and a 17-1 against Notre Dame Academy. It wasn’t only the team’s first time making it to CIF finals, but also to CIF Playoffs. In the playoffs, they scored a 14-4 win against Citrus Hill, an 11-7 win against Buckley, as well as another 11-7 win against Dana Hills. They also played Sierra Canyon for an 11-7 win. The final championship was played Friday, Nov. 15 versus Santa Barbra, ending their longest season ever with a 6-12 loss.

This is coach Shaun Simon’s first time leading the team to CIFs, since he became head coach in 2019. His previous seasons in the bay league proved difficult for the girls’ team, often ending in the first round of league finals. But this year in the ocean league, the team was optimistic from the start of the season, after a series of victories in pre-season games. One of Simone’s main focuses as the season went on, however, was strengthening the team’s mindset, emphasizing team spirit and cheering during games—something many players note as essential in a mentally tough sport like tennis. This supportive energy also drew in sizable crowds of Samo students and parents to home games, especially as the team progressed into championship games.

With the end of this notable season, we also say goodbye to the seniors on the team: Sienna Bevan (’25), Alli Forster (’25), Sara Javerbaum (’25) and Tess Sloan (’25). Also leaving the team this year are the team’s captains Allison Gee (’25) and Avey Thompson (’25). When asked about how she felt about this past season,

Captain Thompson reflected on the experience fondly. “In years prior, there was never a sense of camaraderie or school spirit on the team, but that certainly wasn’t the case with this bunch,” Thompson said. “Each and everyday, I saw all the girls put their best foot forward and work hard, not just for themselves, but for the team.”

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Boys waterpolo faces heartbreaking CIF semi-final loss

Samo boys’ varsity water polo team capped off their

Nov. 12,

in league

play.

Despite losing 11 crucial seniors last year, this year’s team adapted and exceeded expectations. Some star players this season are Ethan Fitzgerald (’25) with 145 goals this season, Colby with a total of 82 goals, Ronan Maynes (’25) with 49 goals, and goalie Jake Levin (’26) with one goal and numerous saves. Head Coach Matthew Flanders noted how the team’s resilience helped them throughout the season.

“The team just kind of rolled with the punches and took each game one at a time. Their patience ended up really paying off, they never lost hope. Next season I am hoping for more of the same. Make CIF and go far!” Flanders said.

Numerous Samo players also made the All-Bay League and All CIF teams. Fitzgerald made the All-Bay League 1st Team and All-CIF D3 1st Team. Maynes made the All-Bay League 2nd Team and All CIF D3 1st Team. Colby made the All-Bay League 2nd Team and All CIF D3 2nd Team.

Boys’ water polo finished their league season with a win on Oct. 23, 2024 against Malibu High School. Samo then moved on to CIF playoffs in Division lll; their first game was against Beaumont High School, which they won with a final score of 23-10. They won their next two games in CIF. Their success took them to the Semifinals, where their season came to a close. Team captain Jackson Colby (’25) reflected on the

team’s performance during the Semifinal game, a moment where the team faced a great shift in momentum.

“Right before the end of the third quarter I scored a goal and after that everyone was just ready to go,” Colby said. The Semifinals was a close game against Los Osos High School, with a final score of 6-7. The teams took turns scoring points, with the crowd on the edge of their seats the entire game and only gaining relief when Samo took the lead. A final shot from varsity player Zephyr Fehmers (’26) would have tied the game, sending it into overtime. The goal went in right as the buzzer sounded. However, it was sadly not counted towards the final score as fellow teammate Fitzgerald was inside the two-meter mark. Varsity player Maynes explained what was going through his mind as the buzzer sounded.

“I was just numb, I was really in shock for five minutes. I could not believe that we lost, we were so confident in ourselves that we were gonna win. I was still proud of the team because we worked so hard that entire season, day in day out. We just put so much effort into the season,” Maynes said.

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Cross country makes history with two CIF final appearances

Samo cross country is wrapping up their 2024 season as the Ocean-League Champions and historic qualifiers for the CIF Southern Section Finals. For the first time in Samo history, both the boys’ and girls’ teams qualified for CIF finals.

The cross country team started their season competing in invitationals against athletes from across the state, and even nation. The league season officially kicked off on Oct. 16 at their first league meet in Ocean League at Columbia Pa where they achieved a perfect score in both the boys’ and girls’ varsity races.

On Nov. 6, the team competed at the Ocean League Finals Meet where they won the championship title with successful performances from Phoebe Benun (’25) and Landon Kozmor (’25) who earned first place in their respective races. Assistant Coach Emily Sutherland expressed her pride in the team’s achievements.

“We are so proud of this group and their accomplishments,” Sutherland said. “Especially the fact that both the men’s and women’s squad are as strong as they are, goes to show that this is an exceptional year with some really special athletes in the mix. A rising tide lifts all ships, and everyone has risen to the challenge.”

With a goal of making it to state, both the girls’ and boys’ team qualified for the CIF Finals after the girls placed third and the boys placed fourth as a team in each of their races

at the CIF Prelims on Nov. 15. This marked a historic milestone for the boys’ team, making it to CIF Finals for the first time since 2013.

Kozmor emphasizes on the other accomplishments made this season.

“This season we made our first CIF appearance, league individual champion, and league team champions in five years,” Kozmor said.

“Also three athletes moved into the top 10 in Samo history for three miles.”

The three runners being Leo Lucente (’26), Kingsley Lin (’27) and Kozmor himself. Adding to the team’s dedicated performances, eight boys broke the 16 minute mark for three miles.

As the Samo cross country team’s season comes to an end, the athletes and coaches reflect on a year marked by significant achievements. Throughout the season, the team has demonstrated their determination as they dominated in many meets and achieved personal bests. Varsity runner Crystal Gaitan (’26) reflected on this season.

“This season was challenging for all of us but it was one of the best seasons Samohi’s

country team has had. Both girls’ and

varsity made it to CIF [Southern

and we

The

season on

2024. The Vikings’ made it all the way to the CIF Semifinals and ended the season with an overall record of 19 wins and 16 losses and a record of 3-5

Laurel Cohn Staff Writer

Girls Flag Football shakes hands at the end of their match against Windward, which placed them in the CIF championship.

David Hunzicker / Contributor

Boys waterpolo after their CIF Playoff win on Nov. 6 against Mission Viejo.

Katja Snyder / Contributor

The Samo Girls’ Tennis team after competing in the CIF Championship match against Santa Barbara on Nov. 15.

Allison Gee / Contributor

cross

boys’

Section] Finals

all worked tougher as a pack. It was so fun to run with my teammates and a privilege to run one last time with my favorite seniors that are leaving,” Gaitan said.

Arata Sakamoto Staff Writer

David Hunzicker / Contributor

The varsity girls cross country team performing their pre-race rant at the Ocean League finals.

David Hunzicker / Contributor

[From left to right] Kinglsey Lin (’27), Emerson Hill (’26), James Faries (’26), Lev Goldstein (’27), Leo Lucente (’26), Peter Jarvis (’25), and Landon Kozmor (’25) pose before CIF finals.