Tuesday, May 6, 2025 | Santa Monica High School | Volume
CXVIII- Issue VIII
Cover art by Raha Ghoroghchian
Palisades Charter High School finds a home in Santa Monica
Lauel Cohn Staff Writer
Pali’s integration into SM
Palisades Charter High School is now back to in-person learning after being online for over two months. With their new transition into the Santa Monica based Sears building, they have been utilizing Samo space for sports and other activities.
Captain of the Pali swim team, Noa Levertov expressed her gratitude for the pool space provided for the swim team to continue their practices.
“Samo has definitely been helping with the swim team, getting us pool space which is really great,” Levertov said.
In addition to using Samo’s pool and field, Pali has joined forces with the color guard. After the fires struck, the color guard teams at Pali and Samo collaborated and became one team for the rest of their season. They competed and practiced together, getting to incorporate many more design aspects to their shows due to the higher volume of teammates.
Sydney Chan (’28), a member of the Samo color guard, reflected on her experience merging teams with Pali.
“It’s been great, when our season startedwhich was the beginning of second semester - we heard about two or three weeks into the semester about what happened to Pali and the immediate team response was, ‘what can we do to help?’ So we invited them over to practice with us and borrow our equipment,” Chan said, “Our show was definitely a lot cooler design wise, just having more people. It was really fun to learn how they did their warm ups and compare and try new things out and just making new friends.”
Some Pali students, however, - such as Celia Elisha (’27) - believe Samo could still be doing more in terms of sharing space.
“I am on the softball team, and SM has
not partially helped us play or practice. I think that Samo has welcomed Pali somewhat, however, I would like them to let us use their fields for sports,” Elisha said. Pali students were given free Metro cards and have been encouraged to take public transport to school, as the Metro stop is right next to the Sears building. Santa Monica has also given Pali students access to parking spaces and lots.
Pali ASB Treasurer, Nathan Hall (’26),
expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome from the City of Santa Monica and Samo as well.
“Personally I have been extremely happy with the City of Santa Monica…The City of Santa Monica has been reaching out to me and [Pali ASB Vice President] Owen [Fisher (’26)] through the whole process ever since we released our first video. They’ve had us come in for news conferences and even sent us a script for a separate video regarding transportation to our schools new campus and just wanted to have us talk over it so Pali Kids had a familiar voice to listen to,” Hall said. “I still distinctly remember when the fires broke out a bunch of different high school ASB Instagram accounts were posting stories wishing us well and tagging our Insta account. Samo was one of the first and when I reposted it on our official account I remember all the DMs I got of people who genuinely cared a lot about such a simple action.”
Additionally, the SMPD maintained a presence at the Sears building on the first few days of classes, attempting to help everything go as smoothly as possible. However, the Downtown Santa Monica area still feels unsafe for some. A few students still feel that the City of Santa Monica could still do more to ease the transition for the Pali community, Lauren Ades (’27) is one of them.
“More could have been done by Santa Monica in terms of safety, I’m hybrid so I’m walking around close to the school a lot,” Ades said. “There have been a few instances that it felt very unsafe. We were promised plenty of security and police presence, but I have seen barely any. It would be nice if it felt safer walking to school.”
Samo principal, Marae Cruce, explained how - while the transition has been hard - there were still some positives for the move.
“I am impressed how both school communities have listened to and followed guidance on drop-off/pick-up locations. By following these directions, everyone has helped to have a smooth opening,” Cruce said.
Jack Kridel (’26) felt that the Samo community has done a great job of making everyone feel welcome.
“I think as a whole community we feel very welcomed and excited to be in the Santa Monica area. It’s a privilege to have this space and even if it is different that doesn’t mean it’s bad,” Kridel said. “My experience has been overall positive and I think Pali as a whole has received a great amount of support.”
As of now, Pali students and staff are still unsure of when they will return to their home campus. For the time being, Pali will continue to further ingrain itself into the greater Santa Monica community with their temporary space at Sears.
Editor-in-Chiefs
Aili Forster Sara Javerbaum
Managing Editor Sienna Bevan
Business Manager Cleo Topp
Pali’s transition into the Sears Building
After the LA fires, Palisades Charter High School (Pali) has found a new home in the Sears building near Samo.
Pali was forced to move to online learning in early January after the fires destroyed over 40 percent of the school’s campus.
The doors of the Sears building were officially re-opened on April 22 for Pali students to resume in-person learning, after being online for over two months. The new facility, called ‘Pali South’ is located on 4th and Colorado in Downtown Santa Monica, near Santa Monica High School.
Pali ASB Treasurer, Nathan Hall (’26) reflected on the unexpected troubles of online learning.
“While we went back to online I hung out with my close friends everyday and the 12:00 dismissal was amazing, but it’s the people that you’re not close to that you don’t think about,” Hall said. “Being back in person I’ve been able to hangout and talk to people that I didn’t get to see at all while we were online learning. Not to mention, of course, it’s nearly impossible to learn a damn thing online.”
Above the entrance, where a neon green sign once read Sears, it now says Pali High in bold blue lettering. The Sears building was a former department store which opened in 1947 and closed 70 years later in 2017. The building was opened soon after World War ll to capitalize on the consumer demand that ensued.
In the renovated building, about 90 classrooms were constructed, with teachers trying to make this new situation feel like their home campus. The new location, however, is quite different from the original Pali High. The Sears building is completely indoors, whereas Pali had hallways that were mainly outdoors (similar to most California schools). None of these classrooms have doors and most have no windows. There are also no permanent bathrooms, only facilities brought into the parking lot.
Ronen Hayempour (’26) expanded on the issues of not having doors for the classrooms.
“The current open layout can be really distracting as it’s easy to hear noise from the other rooms or get interrupted by people passing by or even looking in,” Hayempour said. “Some teachers have started using curtains to block out distractions, but it’s not really the same. Having actual doors would make classrooms quieter, help us focus better, and give both students and teachers more privacy.”
The Sears building has been empty and unclaimed since the store closed. The space is 100,000 square feet and was converted in about one month. A design plan was mostly concrete by mid-March and a construction crew worked constantly to get these students into their new building.
Leedor Hatzav (’26) expressed how he thinks the space could be improved for the future.
“In the Sears building on the first day they weren’t exactly prepared for 2,500+ students to go on campus. The hallways were jam-packed with people. I was waiting with a crowd of 50 people just to get out through the one door. Just navigating through this many people was the worst part,” Hatzav said.
Lauren Ades (’27) also had issues with the overflow of students.
Opinion Editor
“The building is just not big enough for everyone. I have waited in a 15 minute line to get to class and then been late, everywhere you go it’s a mess,” Ades said.
Hall gave some of his ideas on what the Pali administration could incorporate to make the building feel more welcoming.
“I think we need more greenery or something to make the building a little less gray and depressing,” Hall said. “Obviously they need to work on the overcrowding, but I understand the difficulty as the simple fact they found a place for 2,500 kids in such little time is a miracle.
The first few days, students also had issues with WiFi due to internet blackouts. Many teachers had to plan around the WiFi blockages and schedule all tests to be entirely on paper.
“One of my teachers joked that it felt as if we had returned to [the] 1890s, learning without even a chalkboard to write on,” Hall said.
Many students, including Hayempour, believe that the administration at Pali could be more understanding during the current circumstances.
“I think the Pali administration could offer a bit more lenience. While it hasn’t been a big issue for me personally, I know a lot of people who are struggling with the transition,” Hayempour said. “The workload and expectations are difficult for us, and easing up a little during the adjustment period, or offering more support, could really help people get used to the changes.”
To help foster a stronger feeling of community and normality, teachers decorated their rooms and the building was transformed into a multifloor space, usable for students. Although it’s not an exact replica of the original Pali, students were still appreciative to have an in-person space.
“I mean the teachers they were able to have I don’t know how many classrooms, but a bunch of classrooms throughout each floor. It felt like an actual school, they had nice chairs, nice desks, air conditioning, a lounge area with chairs and a TV, and there’s a cafeteria outside,” Hatzav said. “The teachers were very welcoming, they all gave us free water bottles on the first day which was really nice. The colors were very similar to back at Pali, also the big sign in the front made it feel like back at school, just the way they designed it.”
The transition into the Sears building has been a very complicated process. Pali is putting in extensive work to try and improve an otherwise unimaginable situation. The results of this effort will be seen in the months to come.
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Staff Writers
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-Herget
Photo Editor Manny Lopez
Sports Editors Addie Burns Louis Rotgin
Faculty Advisor Elizabeth Stapleton
Athena Barefoot, Laurel Cohn, Ryan Colvin, Addelyn Fiore, Emma Godfrey, Alisa Ignatenko, Sia Kresch, Leo Lucente, Koi Lerner, Eugene Naruse, Yaretzi Preza, Arata Sakamoto, Kamerin Shakir, Imani Toler, Hope Wang
thesamohinews@gmail.com
Emmanuel Lopez / The Samohi Located at 302 Colorado Ave., the Sears building will now accommoate around 2,500 displaced Pali students
The Samohi is a monthly newspaper by, for and about Santa Monica High School students. Our goal is to empower the student body through information. We do not represent the views of the administration or staff. We do not endorse advertisements placed in our paper.
The combined Pali High and Samohi color guard in uniform.
ICON Independent Winter Guard / Contributor
Remembering Jonathan Folonis
Leo Lucente Staff Writer
On April 6th, 2025, Jonathan Folonis (’01) passed away at age 41 from health complications. A Samo alumni, Folonis worked at the high school for several years as an assistant basketball coach before joining the school full time this past August as a PE and Freshman Seminar Teacher.
Folonis had been an integral part of the school and Santa Monica community for decades. During his time at Samo he was a star basketball player earning All-Bay League First Team honors and averaging 17 points per game (PPG) his senior year. After graduating in 2001, Folonis took his talents to UC Riverside where he redshirted his freshman year and played as a forward his sophomore year. After his sophomore year, Folonis transferred to CSULA where he earned a bachelor’s degree in English. Years later he returned to Santa Monica and began assistant coaching for the boys’ basketball team under his former coach, James Hecht.
A basketball player and coach for over a decade, Folonis was accomplished in the sport. Besides his time at Samo, he did private coaching, worked with camps and clubs, as well as coaching at Norcal schools Menlo College and Junipero Serra High School. Athletic Director Colleen Davenport-Paysinger regarded him as a talented and kind-hearted coach.
“Mr Folonis was a gentle caring individual with a passion for basketball and sports for kids. He understood what playing a team sport can do in teaching kids about life skills and how to work co-
operatively,” Davenport-Paysinger said.
He joined Samo as a full time teacher this school year, instructing PE and Freshman Seminar. Ari Benisty (’27), who knew Folonis as his PE teacher and as a basketball coach during his time at the club program Agents of Change (AOC), found out about Folonis’ passing during spring break.
“It was really sad to hear,” Benisty said. “He was a really good coach. He was a good teacher, a good guy.”
According to student accounts and information on UCI’s website, Folonis was a fan of music, especially hip-hop—Kool Keith being his favorite rapper. Besides music, he enjoyed “Hoop Dreams,” “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” and watermelon. Folonis’ students spoke highly of him, highlighting his humor and ability to run a class.
“He was funny but he also was good at getting to the point,” Benisty said.
The school has set up a memorial for Folonis in the lobby of Gold Gym. There is a photo, flowers and posters in which students and staff members are invited to write messages on in remembrance. A testament to the impact he made and the positive reputation of Folonis, both posters are covered entirely in heartfelt messages.
“Mr Folonis was a quiet introspective individual who had a strong moral compass. He lit up when you asked him if he could help you with a task- he loved Samohi and finding any way to help others and participate in the Samohi community,” Davenport-Paysinger said.
He is survived by his mother Julie Chambers Folonis and father
thesamohinews@gmail.com
Trump’s ongoing battle with universities
Since taking office on Jan. 20, President Donald J. Trump and his administration have released a flurry of federal funding changes, policy changes and executive orders aimed at higher education institutions. Trump’s actions reflect issues he pledged to address throughout his campaign including overhauling the higher education system, tackling antisemitism and enacting tougher immigration policies.
On the campaign trail, Trump repeatedly emphasized the need to “reclaim our once great educational institutions from the radical Left” and “deport pro-Hamas radicals and make our college campuses safe and patriotic again.”
Allegations of antisemitism against universities came following the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas and the widespread protests that were seen on college campuses across the country last year. Since Trump took office, more than 1,800 international students, many on F-1 and J-1 visas, were removed from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Maintained Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) [Inside Higher Ed]. The SEVIS allows international students to legally remain in the United States, and with their names removed from the database, many were suddenly hit with the prospect of having to immediately leave the country or face detention and deportation.
In an interview with Fox News in early March, Samo alum and current White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephan Miller (’03) detailed the administration’s goals and plans.
“The universities must discipline the students, they must break up these protests, they must expel the terrorist sympathizers and reclaim their campuses,” Miller said. “Furthermore, as we speak, under President Trump’s direction, federal law enforcement is identifying any foreign nationals who are engaged in these protests or demonstrations or support for a foreign terrorist organization and those of foreign nationals will have their visa stripped and they will be arrested and they will be deported from the country.”
Some students have already been detained. Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate student and green card holder, was arrested without a warrant in March for
his involvement in the protests on the New York campus. Currently, he is being held at a Louisiana Immigration Detention Facility. Rumeysa Ozturk, a Tufts graduate student in the U.S. on a visa, was allegedly detained for co-writing an op-ed in a student newspaper calling for Tufts to divest from ties with Israel. She is also currently being held in a facility in Louisiana.
On April 11, Santa Monica College reported that 10 student visas were cancelled. The Daily Bruin, UCLA’s student newspaper, also reported on April 13 that at least 19 UCLA students and alumni had their visas revoked. While many of these students were participants in pro-Palestinian protests or publicly expressed support for Palestine, others were reportedly flagged for minor infractions such as speeding or parking violations, or for no clear reason at all.
Wth widespread confusion, hundreds of students filed lawsuits and were granted temporary orders to stay in the country. This led to the Trump administration’s announcement on April 25 that it would temporarily restore all the revoked student visas until it developed a new system to remove and terminate student records for international students.
The Trump administration has also leveraged federal funding to coerce universities into complying with their desired policies, alleging that the universities were not doing enough to combat antisemitism. Many of these investigations of antisemitism are being spearheaded by the Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism under the Justice Department, which announced on Feb. 3 that its “first priority will be to root out anti-Semitic harassment in schools and on college campuses.”
Penalized for the allegations, many universities have had their funding cut, particularly elite research institutions such as Cornell, Northwestern, Columbia and Harvard. Many others, such as Princeton, Brown, the UC system and community colleges like SMC are being investigated by the Department of Justice, Department of Education, or both.
In March, the Trump administration hit Columbia University with a $400 million freeze in funding alongside a list of several demands. These included key policy changes related to student protests on campus and the implementation of new oversight and review over programs in “regional areas across the University, starting immediately with the Middle East.” Columbia’s compliance with these demands faced widespread criticism in the following weeks, particularly as the university’s submission was not rewarded with the return of the $400 million. The Trump administration is also reportedly discussing a consent decree in which judicial oversight will ensure that these policies are met. Columbia has pushed back against this proposal.
On April 11, the Trump administration also sent a letter to Harvard University calling for reform in hiring, admissions and their “programs with Egregious Records of Antisemitism or Other Bias” in order to “maintain Harvard’s financial relationship with the federal government.” Har-
vard refused to comply with these policies, and the situation further escalated when the administration froze $2.2 billion of its $9 billion in multiyear grants to Harvard. Trump also threatened Harvard’s 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and its ability to host international students, with renewed threats since then on his Truth Social account. Following these actions, the university announced that it had filed a lawsuit against the federal government on April 21. In their 51-page complaint, the university labeled the funding freeze as “unlawful and beyond the government’s authority,” quoting Harvard’s President Alan M. Garber that “the University will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights.” In the first court appearance on April 28, District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs set July 21 as the next hearing date, meaning Harvard will go without their federal funds at least until this date.
Hundreds of universities are pushing back with Harvard. On April 22, the American Association of Colleges and Universities released a public statement stating that “we speak with one voice against the unprecedented government overreach and political interference now endangering American higher education.” The statement was signed by over 400 presidents of various institutions, including all University of California and 11 California State University presidents.
As part of a broader attack on higher education and scientific research, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other federal departments have cut hundreds of grants in research and funding to universities, hospitals, and nonprofit research organizations. CNN reports that 780 grants have been cut by the NIH in the first month, with these cuts affecting various fields of research such as those for HIV, vaccines, environmental studies and more.
Bella Santiago (’25) was one of the students affected by Trump’s new policies. A senior heading to the University of Michigan in the fall, Santiago applied to the University of Michigan Alumni Association’s LEAD Scholars Program, which was created “to improve diversity and opportunity.” However, following Trump’s nationwide purge of DEI programs, the LEAD scholars program was discontinued, citing concerns to “comply with all applicable laws.”
“I qualified for the LEAD scholarship. I think it was like a $40,000 scholarship a year and it would have been a lot,” Santiago said. “I did the entire application process, I scheduled my interview, and then I got an email a couple of weeks later that they canceled the program. It would have been really helpful to have this scholarship, because now I have to apply to a bunch of other things too.”
Michael Folonis. Mr Folonis left a lasting impact on the Santa Monica community and he will be missed. May he rest in peace.
Leo Lucente / The Samohi Folonis’s memorial which can be found left of the entrance to the Gold Gym.
Eugene Naruse Staff Writer
Wikimedia Commons / Contributor
The reinstated Gaza Solidarity Encampment at Columbia University on its fourth day in 2024.
What’s going on around Samo?
Kamerin Shakir Staff Writer
Samo alumnus tunes into Barnum Hall live from outer space
On April 29, NASA astronaut and Samo alumnus Jonathan Kim (’02) was interviewed from the International Space Station by Samo, Lincoln Middle School and Roosevelt Elementary students in Barnum Hall to share his career journey and the exciting research being conducted in space. The event was coordinated by Catherine Baxter and Samo Principal Marae Cruce to inspire students and expose them to unique career paths.
Kim shared his non-traditional pathway to becoming an astronaut, emphasizing that it’s okay to not have everything figured out early in life. Following his graduation from Samo in 2002, Kim enlisted in the Navy and joined SEAL Team 3. While in the military, Kim earned a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics and a Doctor
of Medicine from Harvard Medical School. In 2017, he was selected by NASA to be one of 12 in NASA Astronaut Group 22.
Kim shared the challenges of daily life aboard the Space Station with his audience, including managing floating objects and the significance of teamwork.
“Starting off at the space station was tricky, everyday obstacles like simply putting a box away were challenging as everything would float away. Thanks to help from my team I was able to overcome these challenges and become a stronger astronaut,” Kim said.
Principal Cruce emphasized the importance of showcasing successful alumni like Kim in encouraging students to explore their potential.
“It really gives [kids] a sense of belonging… It’s a, ‘Hey, if he was here and he did,’ you see a pathway, and then it’s a sense of inspiration of, ‘I can do that too!’” Cruce said. “Planning this event was very lengthy and took a lot of personal time, but I really wanted this to happen for the Samo community. I wanted the kids to know Samo has the resources for them to succeed in any career they choose.”
Lincoln Middle School student Sophie Johnson was very inspired by the event and looks forward to her high school career.
“Seeing an astronaut become this influential figure after graduating from the same high school I can one day attend is very eye opening,” Johnson said. “It makes me want to take STEM classes and look at more of Samo’s resources.”
Big Blue Bus launches new “Adopt-A-Stop” program
In honor of National Volunteer Week, Big Blue Bus (BBB) has officially launched its new “Adopt- A-Stop” program, inviting riders, local businesses and civic organizations to take ownership of their local bus stops by keeping them clean and cared for. The program offers a unique opportunity for community members, especially students looking for a way to give back, to adopt one of BBB’s 930 stops and maintain it on a volunteer basis. By becoming an “adopter,” participants help improve the appearance and safety of public transit areas while engaging in community pride. At launch, BBB hopes to have at least 20 stops adopted, creating a direct connection between riders and the system they depend on. Volunteers will act as extra sets of eyes, helping the City of Santa Monica respond more quickly to issues such as litter or van-
dalism.
Samo student Tatum Asla (’26) shared the importance of BBB Adopt-A-Stop.
“Cleaning the bus and bus stops shows respect for drivers, brings people together, and encourages more students to ride the bus which breaks the stereotype that buses are unsafe,” Asla said. “I’ve been riding the bus for five years, and while some stops are clean, others need more care from both students and the community considering we contribute to the mess on the stops.”
BBB emphasizes safety, asking volunteers to avoid hazardous materials and remain aware of their surroundings. As a community, Samo can help make Santa Monica’s transit stops cleaner and safer.
Interested individuals or student groups can email Program Administrator Joseph Santiago at joseph.santigo@santamonica.
After being closed for over a decade, the historic Santa Monica Civic Auditorium on Main Street is finally on track for a revival. The Santa Monica City Council recently approved an Exclusive Negotiating Agreement with the Revitalization Partners Group to explore bringing the beloved venue back to life.
Originally opened in 1958, the Civic quickly became a major cultural hotspot, hosting everything from the Academy Awards (19611968) to epic concerts with Elton John, Pink Floyd and the Rolling Stones. It was shut down in 2013 due to seismic safety issues and has been empty since.
In 2024, the city issued a Request for Letters of Interest for the revitalization of the auditorium. Revitalization Partners Group (RPG), a group of heavy hitters from the music, sustainability and real estate worlds, were chosen for the project on July 25, 2024 due to their experience and financial wherewithal. Their plan starts with a deep dive into the building’s structure, history and accessibility to see what it’ll take to reopen it safely and successfully. If everything checks out, construction could begin after final plans are made in a Disposition and Development Agreement.
Samo student Tasmeen Zeki (’26) talked
about the benefit of the Civic Auditorium reopening. “I didn’t know much about the Civic Auditorium before, but now that I know about it, I feel it would be a great place for music lovers like myself to go and showcase our talents and watch mainstream performers,” Zeki said. Groups like Save the Civic and the Santa Monica Conservancy are celebrating this move, hoping to restore the auditorium as a world-class venue for the next generation. For updates, check the City of Santa Monica Government website.
Fairview Branch Library remains open, for the time being
Santa Monica’s Fairview Branch Library, located at Ocean Park Blvd. and 21st St., has been saved from closure for the time being after a major show of community support.
The branch was under threat due to budget cuts, with Santa Monica City Councilmember Jesse Zwick previously hinting at the possibility of consolidating underused library spaces. Fairview, which currently operates just two days a week on a self-service basis, was being considered for permanent closure and possible sale.
However, after a huge public outcry, Zwick changed his stance. At the city’s April 8 City
Council meeting, dozens of residents spoke up about the library’s importance while holding Save the Fairview Library” signs. A rally organized by Friends of Sunset Park and local library groups took place right outside City Hall beforehand.
Moved by the community’s passion, Zwick admitted he was wrong and promised not just to preserve, but enhance local libraries. The Fairview Branch serves around 15,000 residents and was a major part of many locals’ childhoods.
Samo student Khloe Herbach (’26) expressed her excitement that they keep a nostalgic Santa Monica library.
“I’ve been going to that library since I was little. I started off with princess books then grew to more genres over the years. Seeing it would be closed was very shocking. I’m happy they realized their mistake and hopefully it could be kept in the community,” Herbach said.
The final decision could come at the June 24 City Council meeting. For now, students and residents alike can celebrate that their voices are making a difference.
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LACC votes against SMMUSD district split 6-5
Koi Lerner Staff Writer
After a years-long dispute, The Los Angeles County Committee on School District Organization voted 6-5 against the splitting of the SMMUSD district into Santa Monica United School District (SMUSD) and Malibu Unified School District (MUSD).
The City of Malibu had begun the process of splitting into its own district thirteen years prior, wishing to control the education, funding and programs of their students more strictly and relevantly. In 2015, Malibu City Council approved efforts to officially establish a local school district. In 2017, the City of Malibu initiated a petition to separate from the SMMUSD school district officially. Malibu finally began the mediation process with SMMUSD in 2022 and began developing agreements. In September of last year, the school district finally announced that it had agreed on a proposed school separation package and they would officially begin separating. SMMUSD Board of Education Vice President Jon Kean discusses his opinion when the separation was announced.
“It is a good feeling to share these long-awaited agreements with the public and I am looking forward to participating in many discussions prior to any votes being taken,” Kean said. “While there is a lot left to do, this is yet another significant milestone toward unification.”
The district had three agreements: the Revenue Sharing Agreement, detailing the process of distributing funding easily; the Operational Transfer Agreement, regarding the allocation of staffing, operational processes and resources; and
the Joint Powers agreement, which established a shared entity to oversee the division specifically. The package went to public review, with finalization expected to start in October. However, the SMMUSD Board of Education failed to reach a full agreement of separation within a specified deadline by that date, leading to Malibu pushing forward with the split alone. The agreements were never formalized. Instead, Malibu went for a decision from County officials to mandate the split.
This April, the LA County Office of Education (LACOE) found that Malibu’s 2017 petition failed to substantially meet eight of nine criteria. Additionally, LACOE found that the district splitting would cause negative impacts in SMUSD and likely cause financial problems. Due to this, LACOE chose to oppose the petition.
LACOE found that Malibu missed criteria such as being able to maintain enrollment of at least 1,501 students within the new district, not promoting ethnic discrimination or segregation and likely having radical shifts in racial/ethnic demographics. Other groups such as The Santa Monica-Malibu Classroom Teachers Association (SMCTA) expressed concern over labor costs and the lack of long-term job security for Malibu teachers, who would only have job security for one year under the current Malibu split agreement. Malibu representatives claimed that they would extend the security to four years, though it is unknown if that is legally binding for a would-be district. Claudia Batista, the SMCTA president, discusses her worry for teachers within the split.
“The agreement establishes a 4 percent annual growth tar-
get for SMUSD’s unrestricted general fund revenues. However, it does not account for rising labor costs in both districts,” Batista said. “There’s no plan built in to meet the actual compensation needs of the educators and staff who serve our students daily.”
A retake of the vote will be held on May 7, due to procedural concerns.
“Let’s stop looking backwards,” Kean said. “We cannot look backwards and get this completed. This has to be a results and outcome-driven process.”
Wikimedia Commons / Contributor
The Fairview Branch library has been a Santa Monica community staple since 1931.
Santa Monica Civic Auditorium to reopen in coming months
Manny Lopez / The Samohi
The Santa Monica Civic Auditorium had been scheduled for a rennovation in 2012, but the project lost funding.
Dalia Puchalt / The Samohi
The SMMUSD district office on 4th Street is where many conversation about the split took place.
Kamerin Shakir / The Samohi
Students from Samo, Lincoln and Roosevelet filed into Barnum Hall on April 29 to watch their peers ask questions live from backstage.
The perils of a president who knows no boundaries
Where
Sia Kresh Staff Writer
Alisa Ignatenko
On Feb. 19, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker drew attention to the indecency of President Donald Trump’s second term, stating “We don’t have kings in America and I don’t intend to bend the knee to one.”
Pritzker’s assertion voices a warning against what has been an insidious pattern of authoritarian behaviors from the Trump administration. The speech shined a light on all of Trump’s attempts to pour all power into his careless hands.
The administration has undoubtedly demonstrated behavior that erodes civil liberties, most notably in their immigration policies. In recent news, 30 year old Russian scientist, Kseniia Petrova, who made a groundbreaking discovery of a microscope in cancer detection at Harvard Medical school was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). After landing in a Boston airport mid-Feb., two Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officers inspected Petrova’s phone and luggage. A sample of frog embryos were discovered in her suitcase, which is a customs violation. CBP is supposed to give two penalties for this type of violation which usually include a $500 fine and forfeiture of an item. Instead, her visa got canceled. According to the Immigration and Nationality Act Section 212, several reasons can be given for denying entry into the U.S, so CBP can cancel visas, but they need a warrant for it and in Petrova’s case, there wasn’t one.
“I would call it a grinding machine,” Petrova told NBC. “We are in this machine and it doesn’t care if you have a visa, a green card, or any particular story. ... It just keeps going.” .
Petrovas detainment and the detainment of other academic US figures, such as permanent citizen Mahmoud Khalil, Columbia graduate and organizer of protests for Gaza, should have right to inquiry and safe education. This unlawfulness has impaired universities in the United States ability to take on and keep valuable contributors to important research and discoveries. In a tragic new proposal, elected health secretary RFK Jr., has also announced a new prerogative to gather as much data as possible about autistic Americans in order to “prove” the predetermined conclusion that vaccines cause autism. It’s not clear yet if people have the choice to opt-out of having their medical records used for this research. Since there is already a lot of evidence that autism could be caused by genetics and older parent age during conception, collecting all the information possi -
the wild things
For generations, zoos have stood as emblems of education and entertainment. Yet behind the scenes of these manicured habitats, there is suffering we’ve collectively agreed not to see - a quiet suffering that’s been masked by the illusion of care.
Zoos have long been a beloved spot for school field trips, providing students with the indispensable experience to observe animals closely in all their beauty. Howev er, the student perspective of animals’ instincts and habits is often very disillusioned. When animals are captive in zoos, their behavior changes dramatically. In certain instances, animals struggle with coping and adapting to their environment, creating stress. Animals often struggle to fully exhibit their natural behavior, leading to anxiety and irritation. This can cause them to display unusual and/or destructive behavior. The kind of distress animals in captivity face is different from what they would face in the wild, making their behavior inaccurate and almost entirely fabricated by humans.
The Los Angeles Zoo (LA Zoo) is a shining example - not of progress, but of pure denial. In Jan. of 2024, 53-year-old Shauni, an Asian Elephant, was euthanized at the LA zoo only a year after the euthanization of fellow Asian Elephant, Jewel, aged 61. The zoo’s decision to euthanize both elephants was due to medical issues and the fact that “[their] quality of life was continuing to decline” (Los Angeles Zoo). Yet, the reason why their “quality of life” was beginning to decline was largely due to the negligence of the zoo and the staff. In the wild, Asian elephants on average need a home that ranges anywhere from 49,400 to 247,000 acres to roam and find food/water. However, while in captivity, elephants average only anywhere from 1-6 acres of space. Due to the tight quarters, elephants do not get the exercise
ble about an oppressed group is starting to sound wildly familiar. The plan of the health secretary is to determine the cause of autism, which he promises to do by Sept. Considering the fact that autistic individuals are already oppressed and misrepresented in our society, trying to dissect how to cure or prevent a disability that was discovered to be genetic and incurable is alarming. It signals towards shifts in research funding and further stigmatization of neurodivergent people even more. A competent, well-informed health secretary would have kept this in mind before pursuing such a non-issue.
A good leader wants his people heard and informed, the issue with Trump is, that seems to be something he is actively working against. Trump’s attitude towards the Paris agreement reeks of ignorance. The next steps in contributing to tackling climate change, which is a critical issue, should be carefully assessed and addressed.
The undemocratic regimes could’ve at least been limited to America, but now it’s contributing to a global crisis. Inaccurate information about the future of our planet, and America’s part in it, is going to cause long term consequences for our environment. The president graces his panicking nation with this comment during an interview with Piers Morgan.
“Er, there is a cooling, there’s a heating. Look it used to not be climate change, it used to be global warming, right?” Trump said.
During the same interview, Trump assures the public that the polar ice caps are not melting and are at “record levels”. Checking into reality, it appears the opposite is true. According to the National Snow and Ice Data Center in Colorado, the Arctic sea ice extent on Jan. 28 was at its lowest level for this time of year since satellite measurements began in 1979.
The biggest point of concern is shockingly, not Trump’s and his posses agenda - it’s the dangerous fact that there is nobody in power that should serve as checks and balances resisting against him. When people refuse to challenge the rhetoric and authoritarian regimes being pushed, it continues to erode the standards of our democracy. A government lacking logic, humility and care is not a government, it’s a disaster waiting to happen. If those with an official say don’t act, it is up to us to speak out and hold our leaders accountable.
“The seed that grew into a dictatorship in Europe a lifetime ago didn’t arrive overnight,” Pritzker said. “It started with everyday Germans mad about inflation and looking for someone to blame.”
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aren’t: Zoo’s fabrication of nature
they need, which often leads to many health problems, such as obesity and knee complications, ultimately leading to their premature death.
The LA Zoo, in particular, has taken another step away from reform with their new $650 million plan (LA Times) to eliminate nearly all of the remaining native woodlands from the Griffith Park
zoo. In place of the woodlands, a faux canyon and rock wall would be installed, giving it a theme-park style transformation. A zoo’s primary objective should be to protect and inform the public about at-risk species. Instead of using that money to support the animals, they are spending it on entertainment purposes and displacing animals from their natural habitat in the process. Their proposed plan is telling of a complete lack of awareness of the species and wildlife they claim to defend.
Unfortunately, the problems that face the LA-Zoo are not unique- they represent a constant in zoos found across the world. Many zoos internationally have furthered their exploitative practices through special events featuring music, alcohol and in some cases even fireworks. The noise of the large crowds and noise from the fireworks disrupt the animal’s usual routines and even sleep patterns. These celebrations are sending a clear message to the general public that zoos prioritize amusement over animal welfare or conservation. As this pattern continues, organizations like Freedom For Animals (FFA), a UK-based charity that promotes animals’ freedom from captivity, recently exposed several zoos for the mistreatment of their animals. At a festival in Port Lympne Zoo, they uncovered that many attending the party threw items at the animals and at Bristol Zoo, they found staff revealing that the animals were stressed by the loud noises at the events. These aren’t just isolated incidents; they display the broader culture of disregard for the psychological needs of animals, all in pursuit of profit.
It’s clear zoos are not reflective of the wild. They reflect humans - their power, financial priorities and overall willingness to mislabel cruelty as entertainment. It’s time to acknowledge the bars that have been placed around these innocent animals and finally tear them down. thesamohinews@gmail.com
Art by Kayman Mangan
Art by Kayman Mangan
No rest for the weary, or in our case, highschoolers
Out of all the demands high school places on students, sleep may be the most costly sacrifice. As a sophomore who has spent countless late nights writing essays and studying for tests, I understand firsthand that sleep deprivation is not simply about feeling tired the next day; it reflects a system that expects us to operate at full capacity while quietly wearing us down.
During adolescence, our bodies go through a natural shift called a circadian phase delay, meaning our internal clocks naturally push our sleep schedules later. According to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), teenagers’ melatonin production is delayed by about two hours compared to adults, making it biologically harder for teens to fall asleep early.
Compound this biological reality with the fact that over 80% of high schools in the U.S start before 8:30, despite recom mendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics to push back start times for middle school and high school students. Early start times are associated with worse academic performance, higher rates of tardiness and greater absenteeism among adolescents. We are expected
to be alert and ready to learn when our bodies are still wired for sleep. For students enrolled in AM classes or those part of the Samo surf team, this is a particularly apparent issue, as many have to wake up before 6 am every morning while continuously staying up late to complete work. Josephine Ashford (’28), a member of the Samo surf team, shares her experience with having to wake up early for practice.
“Practice starts at 6:30 and ends at 7:45 am, which gives kids little to no time to shower or prepare for the school day after practice. I have to wake up so early every morning to surf and also have to go through a full school day on top of that…,” Ashford said. “The days just build up and it gets pretty hard to find the motivation to do school work when all you want to do is catch up on sleep.”
Meanwhile, the workload outside of school hours has continued to grow. A Stanford Unistudy found that students at competitive high schools average more than three hours of homework per night. Between studying for six separate classes, participating in extracurriculars, practicing for sports and trying to maintain healthy friendships and family connections, sleep
very quickly becomes an afterthought. Or more commonly, the uninterrupted time to lie down becomes another opporutinity to stress out about all the things you should be doing at that moment instead of sleeping. Luisa De Lorenzo (’25), a Samo student currently taking psychology and planning to major in it, emphasizes the mental toll of poor sleep.
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“Sleep affects every part of your life, from energy to appetite and focusing; in psychology, we do a full unit on sleep and people don’t realize how much you need enough sleep, it’s a full body reset that is literally required to function,” De Lorenzo said. “For big procrastinators like myself, when things are due at 11:59, they will be turned in at 11:58; little things like that make it so much harder for kids to get adequate sleep every night.”
levels impair immune system function, increase inflammation and raise the risk of developing chronic diseases later in life. Every finals season, I see classmates burn out or become physically sick simply because their bodies cannot withstand the pressure.
Demanding a system that aligns with our biological needs is not a sign of laziness, it’s an act of self-respect.
I have lost count of the number of times I’ve stayed up late studying only to find myself struggling to recall basic information during a test the next day. If we are too exhausted to think clearly, it raises many ethical questions. Who exactly is benefiting from this model?
The physical consequences of sleep deprivation are far more damaging and widespread than most realize; chronic lack of sleep elevates cortisol levels, the hormone responsible for the body’s stress response. Prolonged high cortisol
Beyond academics and physical health, sleep deprivation severely impacts emotional well-being. It makes it harder to manage stress, regulate emotions and maintain a positive outlook. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), lack of sleep in teens is strongly linked to higher rates of anxiety and depression. It is troubling that exhaustion has become so normalized that many students wear their sleeplessness like a badge of honor, as if being perpetually tired proves their dedication to school. When late-night study sessions and emotional breakdowns over assignments are treated as ordinary parts of the high school experience, it is clear that the system is failing us. We are not machines that can operate without rest and we deserve an education system that recognizes and supports that reality. No GPA, no exam score and no college acceptance letter is worth sacrificing our health over. It is time we stop glorifying burnout and start building a definition of success that supports us; we are smart enough to know better and courageous enough to demand change.
Did you pray today? Two student takes on God
Liam Sauer News Editior
For as long as I can remember, I have believed in God. It wasn’t, I think as many people assume, that I was raised in a hyper-religious family. Yes, I was raised around lots of tradition, but my parents at best could be described as a little more than agnostic. So when trying to write this, I was really struggling to pinpoint where my inherent belief in a higher power came from. And begrudgingly, I think the reason is something I can only convey by speaking more candidly about my life.
I never wanted a younger sibling. Up until my teenage years, I had made it out in my head that I would forever hold the mantle as the baby of the family. And it wasn’t just that. I had what I can best describe as a “Peter Pan Complex”; I actually was terrified of growing up. At 12 years old, I was already looking back nostalgically on pictures of myself in elementary school. Then, came the biggest shock I never would’ve expected: I was having a little brother. While I did give my blessing for my bonus-mom (my stepmom) and my dad to have another kid, I don’t think the magnitude of the decision hit me until my bonus-mom was in labor. At that moment, my whole idealized world broke. I vividly remember sitting in the room with my friends, furiously explaining how unhappy I was. And then Rhev was born. This idea that I vehe mently hated for the entirety of my life was actu ally a person. It seems like an oversimplification but my sense of self, of the world, of everything, completely changed. I started to mature as a per son, to take on more responsibility, to push my boundaries and to open myself to new perspec tives. It was so indicative of an idea I had been exposed to my entire life – a blessing in disguise. As aforementioned, I was raised in a traditional household. No, ideas of divinity and fate weren’t pushed on me. But the constant idea (enforced by the fact that nearly every Jewish holiday is the celebration of a survival of a tragedy) that everything in life could be taken with a positive attitude, as a “gift from God”, is something that I was readily exposed to.
like this. My little brother actually was a blessing, that for so long I had seen as antithetical to myself. And I don’t mean a blessing in the sense that he’s someone I’m grateful for. Yes, that is emphatically the case. But I mean a blessing in the sense that there is no doubt in my mind that Rhev is from God.
YES NO
Addelyn Fiore Staff Writer
At this point, I struggle to articulate myself. I don’t even know if it’s possible to explain the amount of love I have for my little brother. It is plainly above words. Watching him learn how to express himself and play and develop a personality has been the best gift I could ever ask for. Part of the childhood I left behind when I stopped being “the baby of the family” I now experience through getting to be a role model to him. He is in so many ways the source of my joy.
So many people look at the world and see the very real horror that is apparent around us. I fully understand the inability to see the constantly
I don’t believe in things I cannot see, nor do I find solitude in the presence of a figure of which I don’t even know exists. I have been told ever since I was little that I was a child of God because I got dipped in water when I was too young to even know who God was. As a society, I feel that we are expected to conform to traditional beliefs without evidence and a massive figurehead who exemplifies that is God.
My entire family is Lutheran and I was raised occasionally going to church. It wasn’t uncommon to see people around me pray to God asking for guidance in their me when I people deto someone that didn’t even know existed. As
“You will love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul.”
And Rhev, once you get old enough to read this, I hope these words actually are true for you. Because everytime I see you I can’t help but feel this way. I believe in God because I see God in you.
Yet, I don’t think it ever really clicked with me
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I grew up, I came to realize that they were looking for answers they couldn’t attain without a higher power. They needed something, or someone, to hold onto.
Growing up, I often heard the phrase, “God has a plan for everyone.”
But if that’s true, how do we make sense of the suffering in the world? Why do people become homeless? Why do mass killings occur? Why are millions of children diagnosed with cancer? What can we attribute all of these devastating tragedies to? It doesn’t make sense that hardships are simply part of God’s plan as a way to comfort people
who are suffering. Faith never came naturally to me simply because I never found tranquility within God the same way others have. I do all the things in my life because that’s how I decide my life will turn out, not because of a preconceived plan that was made for me. During my lifetime, I never found a reason as to why I needed to believe in Him. I never had that awakening moment that most people talk about. There is this expectation when it comes to religion that it will just snap into place in a moment in time. People have their tragedies, divine protection and unbelievable moments that curate their religious path in their lives, yet I never experienced that.
As I watched my grandma, along with various family members, go on mission trips - it made me wonder if something was wrong with me. Why didn’t I believe in Him or even had a questioning of whether He existed or not? Although I don’t follow an organized religion with monotheism, it doesn’t mean I lack belief in a greater force or higher power. Afterall, the definition of atheism is the “disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or Gods”. With so much still unknown about the universe, I can’t rule out the existence of a higher power but there is a line between conforming to societal standards within religion and having a belief in a supreme power. I like to think that the universe can guide me in the right direction or give me signs in subtle ways but unlike organized religion, I don’t dedicate my life to someone else. Atheism has brought me freedom in my choices, granting me moral autonomy, the ability to live in the present, personal freedom and identity. Atheism allows you to develop your own personal morals without influence of an outside force. You only get to live in this life once and getting to think for yourself and form your own opinions is a privilege. When life is finite, being present matters most. Dwelling on the afterlife takes away from the life we’re actually living.
Athena Barefoot Staff Writer
Art by Kayman Mangan thesamohinews@gmail.com
Art by Kayman Mangan
Student life
Arata Sakamoto Staff Writer
Over spring break, Samo offered an international opportunity for students in Japanese class to go to Japan and students in the wind ensemble and wind symphony to go to the United Kingdom. Those trips provided a unique cultural experience, allowing students to immerse themselves in the local traditions, history, and language. While enhancing their academic and artistic skills, they were also able to form a closer bond with one another.
Over spring break, while the students in the Japanese class were embarking on their educational journey to Japan, students in the wind ensemble, with a few members from the wind symphony, went to Edinburgh, Manchester and London for their United Kingdom performance tour. During their eight-day trip from April 6th to April 14, they visited a number of historical sights, including Edinburgh Castle, Shakespeare’s Birthplace and Windsor Castle. In addition to the fun, the students’ main purpose was to perform at the St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral and at the Royal College of Music London alongside a local band, Regent Brass Band. Amber French (’26) noted how the trip wasn’t only about playing in the halls but also spending time with her friends.
“The goal of the trip was to make music and irreplaceable memories with your closest friends,” French said. “Being in historic cities like Edinburgh and playing in the halls with my closest friends was so special.”
Kevin McKeown, the Samo conductor for wind ensemble and director of the bands, shared his highlights of his trip.
“My proudest moment was watching their reactions after our final concert,” McKeown said. “There were a lot of smiles on stage, along with a few tears, acknowledging that our best performance was realized.”
Students from Samo’s Japanese class went on a two-week trip to Japan from April 3rd to April 16th. The itinerary included a variety of locations from the bustling city, Tokyo to the quiet countryside of Fujinomiya. The purpose of the trip was to offer students a chance to observe and experience Japanese culture, language and daily life through first-hand exposure by navigating public transportation systems, trying a wide variety of Japanese food and visiting historical sites. One of the key components of the experience was a two-night homestay with families in Fujinomiya. This part of the trip allowed students to engage directly with Japanese customs and family life. Seito Phipps (’26) reflected on the experience.
“The most memorable parts of the trip for me were my home stay in Fujinomiya, as well as the amount of laughs I had with my friends on the trip, which bonded us closer than we were before,” Phipps said. “The countryside was probably one of, if not my favorite part of the trip. The family was the most welcoming, and it all felt really familiar growing up with lots of Japanese culture.”
Japan’s distinct cultural difference from the United States left many students surprised by the cleanliness of public spaces, such as the streets and bathrooms, mannerisms and the high quality of food, even at inexpensive restaurants. Maedy Antonio (’25) shared how her homestay family was so welcoming, making it one of her best experiences.
“My time in Japan was one of the best times I’ve ever had. It is such an amazing, diverse culture that is so different, you don’t want to leave,” Antonio said. “I learned a lot about Japanese culture and traditions, as well as different aspects of mannerism.”
Discovery is full of pride for seniors’ commitment day
Leo Lucente Staff Writer
success in the Discovery Atrium at the Commitment Day Celebration. Students gathered wearing their school gear from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and enjoyed complimentary desserts, pizza and drinks. Piper Forsyth (’25) attended the celebration and is set to attend University of Colorado Boulder next year.
“I really liked Commitment Day,” Forsyth said. “It was fun to see where everyone was going to college.”
Commitment Day has been an annual event since 2021, making this year’s celebration the fourth iteration. The event has evolved from a small gathering to a full-blown function. This year’s event featured balloons strung from the Discovery stairs, banners, music, a raffle with prizes, and a photo booth.
“They had food and a picture booth, which was really fun,” Forsyth said. “It was good to be able to bring photos from the event home.”
While the event is oriented towards college-bound students, college counselor Rosa Meija emphasizes that it is inc-
lusive of all seniors, regardless of their plans post-graduation.
“We’re celebrating all seniors and their chosen post-Samohi paths,” Meija said.
While the trends of what Samo students do post-graduation have remained relatively the same in the past few years, there has been a recent upturn in Santa Monica College (SMC) admissions. Meija attributes this slight surge to SMC’s Promise Program.
“SMC offers the Promise Program, which offers free tuition for the first year, possibly the second year. So we have seen an uptake in our two-year self-reported enrollment,” Meija said. “We believe that it is due to that because compared to other financial aid offers at four-year colleges or two-year colleges, it’s a pretty good deal.”
Commitment Day kicks off a string of senior celebratory events. In the coming weeks, seniors will enjoy Senior Awards and Scholarship Night, Prom, Graduation, Grad Night and more.
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For many seniors, their four years of high school have culminated in acceptance to a four-year college or university. On May 1st, these college-admitted seniors celebrated their
Oliver Moss/Contributor
Olive Tran (’25), Emi Yamashiro-Hergert (’25), Oliver Moss (’25), Andy Rowles (’25) and Kai Bennett (’25) bring their college spirit to commitment day.
Photos by: Maia Baker / Contributor
Luke Shimahara / Contributor
Aaron Heirigs / Contributor
Yaretzi Preza / The Samohi
Maedy Antonio / Contributor
Photos by: James Tuffs / Contributor Alexander Beekman / Contributor Amber French / Contributor
All art by Kayman Mangan
Hope Wang Staff Writer
Although queer representation has come a long way in the media, it’s no secret that the struggle to properly portray authentic representation persists. While TV and films have improved in recent years, incorporating more queer storylines and characters, progress
Is it worth it to include a queer character if their only role is to reinforce harmful stereotypes? Many shows and movies have successful queer represenof belonging and fulfillment; conversely, even through well-intended depictions, these films can still be emotionally exhausting for queer audiences.
Emma Godfrey Staff Writer
pieces of queer media I’ve seen,” Rezven said.
The power of media representation is undeniable. According to The Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research, exposure to gay characters on TV increased acceptance of LGBTQ+ equality among viewers. Additionally, studies also found that positive queer representation boosted societal acceptance dramatically. For queer audiences, as Revzen statees, representation is more than visibility: it’s validation. Seeing characters share either struggles or joys can affirm to someone that they are not alone. Contrarily, the absence of representation or harmful queer portrayals reinforces isolation and stigma whithin the community.
Samo Gender & Sexuality Alliance (GSA) President James Rezven (’25) discusses how representation must be sincere and authentic — including a queer character just to seem “representative” doesn’t cut it.
“Emila Perez, for example, was actually insane. I don’t know how it won any awards. It’s a French man writing about Mexican trans women, and the way it equated being trans to surgery was insane. One of the worst
Some of the most damaging portrayals stem from long-standing stereotypes. These stereotypes don’t just misrepresent but also dehumanize individuals. Common stereotypes include the portraying of queer characters as evil or villainous; furthermore, it is all too common to witness the “bury your gays” trope, where LGBTQ+ individuals are killed off without proper exploration and depth to their storylines. Another persistent issue is the common cancellation of queer-led shows such as Everything Sucks, First Kill and Warrior Nun.
“A lot of these shows forgot that people in the LGBTQ community are human and have feelings,” Revzen said. “Sapphic stories constantly get canceled after one season, it’s actually devastating… if you’re in the closet, queer representation in the media can be such a comfort and safety. It’s a really important thing to have.”
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Yaretzi Preza Staff Writer
It’s time to talk about sapphic artists. The tradition dates back to Sappho, a poet from Greece, who wrote about her relationships with other women, centered around love. Often criticised for her work, Sappho’s writing was destroyed by the Catholic Church because of the imagery she created about lesbian love. The term “sapphic” originates from the poet, honoring her legacy and her authenticity in a time when women were often seen as property and subjects to men. Throughout history, sapphic women have faced oppression and been forced to adapt through lavender marriages, a convenience for a man and women to hide their sexual orientation from the public, among other expressions of hidden sexuality, according to History.com. Even in modern times, lesbians and sapphic people face marginalization, often being reduced to a fetish by society and facing less representation in media and daily life than other LGBTQ+ factions. Recently, that’s been changing.
Going back to the early 2000s, sapphic themes rarely appeared in pop music. However, Lady Gaga was often considered an early icon encouraging the queer community to embrace their identities. After her hit “Born this Way,” Gaga paved the way for sapphic pop artists to form the genre into what it is today. Further back, another one of the greats, Tracy Chapman, became legendary for her work as a queer folk musician who produced songs that incorporated political and social commentary, setting her aside from the rest of the musicians in her generation. Chapman’s songs not only were a reflection of her life story, but also left a large impact on the sapphic music crowd, setting an early precedent for future bisexual and lesbian singers to follow.
Nowadays, queer artists are increasingly becoming open onstage and online about their sexualities. Chappell Roan, who regularly incorporates elements of drag performance, shook the community at Lollapalooza in 2024 with the largest audiences ever to stand at the festival. Similarly, artist Billie Ellish has embedded her recent discography with tracks like “Lunch” embracing her love for women and normalizing samesex desire. Additionally, with roots in the theater world, lesbian actress and singer Renee Rap has been gaining positive recognition due to her lyrics exploring love and self-discovery. Other musicians, such as Towa Bird, Janelle Monae and the members of Boygenius, have also opened up about their sexualities publically, causing a stir and a new wave of sapphic acceptance in online communities.
Due to the jump in the virality of WLW identi ties, listeners on the internet are expressing their concerns that some musicians may be taking advantage of the recent sapphic music revolution for their personal gain, according to Cosmopol itan. Online, fans of these artists are breaking down many theories in hopes of separating authentic sapphic music from performative clout-chasing. This is an ongoing issue: the limited attention spans of internet culture may lead to the potential for sapphicism to be reduced to something performative, used
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Art by Kayman Mangan
Emma Godfrey Staff Writer
Amidst the currently shifting political landscape, with LGBTQ+ Pride Month approaching, many businesses are deciding if and how they will support Pride this June. President Trump has made ongoing efforts to dismantle “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” (DEI) initiatives through significant executive orders, according to the official White House site, placing immense political pressure on them to discontinue DEI programs. Today, multitudes of companies face the arduous task of navigating the current political minefield. An alarming number of larger corporations are abandoning the queer community out of fear of cuts to their funding. While appeasing Trump’s demands, by not clearly showing support for the LGBTQ+ community, they are alienating a group of their customers and workers and taking a step backward in the community’s fight for equality. So, what can you do to support and celebrate Pride this year? Here is a list of local Los Angeles businesses that are making active efforts to create a more inclusive and progressive future.
A part of the world’s largest LGBTQ+ organization, the Los Angeles LGBT Center, Liberation Coffee House is a vibrant, community-oriented business. The Coffee House serves a wide variety of pastries, handcrafted drinks and lunch-time meals, with 100% of the net profits going back to the Los Angeles LGBT Center. Every purchase becomes a meaningful donation to healthcare, advocacy, education and housing programs for the LGBTQ+ community.
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SUAY Sew Shop is ardently committed to textile recycling, reuse and repair through their sustainable crafting practices and textile repurposing program: SUAY IT FORWARD. As an LGBTQ+ owned business, Suay sells a variety of unique apparel items and houseware, including their Pride Rainbow
Book Soup is a proud supporting business of the LGBTQ+ community. Along with selling books, records and a unique set of gifts, they host numerous events for authors to share their works. This June, Book Soup will be celebrating Pride Month by inviting multiple authors who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community for book signings and discussions.
Centered around inclusivity and connection, The Ruby Fruit is a neighborhood bar and grill that is welcome to all, proudly queer and women owned and operated. The family-friendly restaurant offers an array of elevated bar-style classics and is openly decorated as an LGBTQ+ friendly space.
Arata Sakamoto Staff Writer
June, Pride Month, is a time to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, honoring their history and ongoing fight for equality. The festivals during this time feature vibrant parades, performances and events that promote love, acceptance, and diversity. In honor of Pride Month this upcoming June, consider visiting one of these well-known Pride celebrations!
On the last Sunday of June, New York City hosts its annual Pride march, working toward a future without discrimination. Organized by the Christopher Street Liberation Day Committee, starting a year after the Stonewall Uprising of 1969, NYC Pride also offers PrideFest, a street festival that offers food, entertainment and information about LGBTQ+ organizations and businesses.
The San Francisco Pride parade route, on June 28 and 29 this year, starts at the Embarcadero and ends at San Francisco’s Civic Center, covering an estimated one and a half miles over which spectators can enjoy music, dance performances and other forms of entertainment. In addition to the parade, San Francisco Pride has an LGBTQ+ street fair with over 300 artists and exhibitors.
Koi Lerner Staff Writer
All transgender students were interviewed under the condition of anonymity. The Samohi aims to protect them and their safety, especially in a society that is currently hostile toward transgender people. Although anti-transgender laws have gained considerable backing over the past couple of years, Donald Trump has begun an unprecedented wave of legislation federally. The trans community makes up a meagre 0.5 percent of the US adult population and 1.4 percent of 13 to 17-year-olds, according to UCLA. Already a sensitive community, these new policies are exceptionally idiotic and deadly.
Even before the new legislation, mental health for trans kids has been problematic, and has only grown in severity. So far, Trump has attempted to bar schools from assisting trans students with socially transitioning, making sure public education institutions cannot teach students about the fluidity of gender or use a student’s preferred pronouns. A transgender senior discusses his experience with having a deadname.
“Being trans is scary,” this student said. “It [really affects] a person and it’s not really a choice, unfortunately. There’s a lot of misunderstanding… within the media and stuff about it. But, it’s freeing when you get to be who you feel you are.”
At school, I use a different name and gender than what is legally binding. Koi Lerner, nonbinary. I’ve completely socially transitioned and rarely ever hear my deadname— a term used for trans people’s given names. No other students know my deadname unless I tell them. No one can use it against me. To hear my deadname all the time, every day, with everyone knowing it, would be
Held in Los Angeles, California, the LA Pride Parade and Festival is the oldest Pride celebration in Southern California. According to their website, their goal is to create a “safe and inclusive spaces of self-expression, celebration, and diversity/equity/inclusion for the LGBTQ+ community of Greater Los Angeles.” Featuring a vibrant parade through West Hollywood, LA Pride offers live music, guest speakers and local vendors, drawing thousands of attendees from around the world.
Held at the heart of the United States in Washington, D.C., Capitol Pride transforms Pennsylvania Avenue into a “colorful corridor of joy,” showcasing colorful floats and groups representing the LGBTQ+ community, with a special focus on preserving the history and protecting the rights of LGBTQ+ people for current and future generations.
a nightmare— people who grew up with me knew my deadname and, when I chose to go by Koi, began to develop unsubstantiated opinions on all facets of myself, like appearance and personality, which they projected onto me. When I had my preferred name put on all my school documents, life became easier. Official documents affirmed my identity, and there was less of a perceived “problematic” divide between the prior identity that others saw and my real self. A transgender junior discusses their similar experience with being trans.
“It’s a weird experience because people treat you differently than before [they found out],” this student said. “People make jokes to you about trans people and it’s weird to respond to. Or they make jokes about you being a certain gender… They see you as a weird person and then try to avoid you.”
In general, the ability to be true to oneself, especially for trans kids, is incredibly important— even if it’s just on paper. Trans kids already face safety problems, with 45 percent of trans adults saying they felt unsafe at school, according to the Washington Post. Trans students are heavily bullied, harassed and generally separated from other students at a rate that exceeds their cisgender peers by far. Forcing children into an environment of unacceptance can and will lead to worsening mental health in an already at-risk community. According to the National Library of Medicine, 82 percent of trans people consider suicide and 40 percent attempt it. With new legislation spreading anti-trans sentiment, the Trevor Project has found that there’s been an increase in suicide attempts up to 72 percent in kids under the age of 18. These numbers are outrageous. Kids are not killing themselves because they are transgender. They’re killing themselves because of the stigma and hatred they face. I— and many other trans kids— are forced to battle with our own identity, forced to hide, because we are deemed abnormal. The junior interviewee discusses their experiences and struggles with not being fully out, especially in the wake of the new legislation.
“I feel like I’m hiding a part of myself away,” the student said. “Also, I just feel like I’ll never be up to par with the standards. I’m really uncomfortable with the future and when I think about it, it’s also very frightening. It’s worrying just how far it will go.”
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NPCA / Contributor WeHo Pride / Contributor
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Transitioning to Samo with the help from AVID
Yaretzi Preza Staff Writer
On Friday, April 24, eighth-grade students from John Adams Middle School had the opportunity to shadow Samo’s students in the AVID program. An event that originally started three years ago has now become a staple of responsibilities for the AVID program. As it provides a well-rounded relationship outside the AVID family, along with knowing a friendly face around campus to help ease the transition that high school students can undergo.
Starting the day from second period up until the end of fifth, JAMS students followed their assigned students around campus. Having the opportunity to explore a new environment, class to class, the middle schoolers had plenty of time to get acquainted with their surroundings and students while asking questions about daily life at Samo. In light of this event, the middle schoolers got to experience the reality of AVID in high school, causing a new sense of comfort to get well-adjusted.
To comprehend the layout of high school life clearly while getting comfortable with introducing themselves to people around campus, the middle schoolers did just that and more. From the crowd, Zetanya Desta, an incoming freshman at JAMS (’30), shared her experience with the shadow day.
“I’m looking forward to all the events and meeting new people in the avid program while learning about diffe -
rent things.” Desta said, “Today has helped me to learn more about the program, while teaching me to be social and respectful.”
Getting started was only the first step, as three years ago, this idea was introduced and made happen with the cooperation of AVID teachers Kyle Koehler and Maggie Colburn alongside JAMS AVID coordinator Titia Murphy and district director Erin Hill. The event was first trialled in middle school a couple of years ago, and ever since, it has been in the works to embark on a smooth transition to high school, specifically in the AVID program.
Although it may seem nerve-wracking as an incoming freshman, juniors in the AVID program were also intimidated. Among the students who were being shadowed, Erini Kreakous (’26) had her fair share of touring. Just starting in the AVID program her freshman year, she has found herself gaining more beneficial skills every day as she becomes more prepared to conquer life outside of Samo. As another year approached, Erini was assigned the responsibility to ensure her student was well prepared for the next academic year.
“I tried to connect her with other students in my class and also introduce her to other people.” Kreakous said. “It’s very important to have group discussions to make everyone feel included and more comfortable.”
Aside from the school work encountered, the scavenger hunt was one of the main activities presented. The
scavenger hunt was a series of tasks that needed to be completed to win a prize, including candy or gift cards. The tasks ranged from silly duties, such as singing the hymn of praise in the Greek theatre, to dabbing with ninth-grade AVID teacher Ms. Kariya. Completing each task required a photo or video taken as verification, which granted the students a closer step to the prize. This idea of the scavenger hunt was constructed to help students familiarize themselves with the campus, as it was expressed by Kyle Koehler.
“[Koheler, Hill, Murphy] Even Ms. Kariya can see a change within current ninth graders from years past because they’re more comfortable on campus as they have participated in previous shadow days,” said Koehler.
Through the competitive nature to win a prize, Hiyab Getachew (’26) and her student buddy came in first place, winning the prize of a gift card. Running around different buildings around campus, Getachew was quick on her feet to strategize a plan to win.
“I strategized everything by area accordingly. Tasks that were in innovation were all done together and that helped me finish quicker” Getachew said. “Finishing everything with my buddy and saying bye was memorable since we spent almost the whole day together while gaining friendship over team bonding activities.”
While returning back with another, it was time to part ways and wish each other the best. Erini shared her experience after a long day with her student,
“Even though me and my buddies didn’t do very well in the scavenger hunt, I had so much fun for those girls.” Kreakous said. “When we ran around campus, that’s when we started to build connections that people dream of, and I wouldn’t trade that for the world.”
After a hard day of socializing around campus, Desta shared her final thoughts about this year’s shadow day.
“I feel like this is a great experience for people who are coming to Samo in general, not just for AVID, since you get a feel of the school. Some people might be scared to come to Samohi because of its size, but I feel like you should come and try. This opportunity should be open for everyone since it really helps with getting to know more about the school and classes.”
The Coachella dilemma: Is it still worth the hype?
Coachella, one of the largest and most influential music festivals in the world, is attracting controversy from festival lovers and haters alike. High prices, 12hour campground traffic, payment plans, censorship, and corporate influence leave potential attendees contemplating whether skipping out on Coachella is worth the FOMO.
The annual festival turned 26 this year, with headliners such as Lady Gaga, Green Day, Post Malone and Travis Scott making legendary performances in the desert whilst dust storms and high temperatures battered visitors. Singer Clairo brought out Bernie Sanders and Charli XCX gave an ode to Brat Summer, with Lorde dancing in the background. Life changing for some, the festival brings a community together, with art, music and unforgettable experiences—but not without its controversies and criticisms.
Social media and Coachella have been intertwined for years, with influencers planning outfits months in advance and bringing visibility to the event. Some argue that the focus has shifted from enjoying indie artists to becoming a branding opportunity.
Leilee Sariri (’27), a Coachella attendee, expressed her distaste for how big festivals such as Coachella are catering towards influencers.
“Coachella has definitely become mainstream and super centered around influencers that go as opposed to the performers there,” Sariri said. “Especially the smaller performers who are starting to gain popularity and are getting this big opportunity to perform for larger audiences, who should be getting more attention.”
2026 general admission presale ticket prices are around $649, and car camping passes can go up to $3,300, not including the festival pass. In 2020, GA tickets were reported at a price of $429, which is approximately a 51.28 percent increase over five years.
Sharon Abramson (‘27), a two-year Coachella visitor, said that while she enjoyed Coachella itself, she had a few comments on the price of the festival.
“I think the tickets are worth it because of the number of artists that you get to see, but the expensi -
ve tents are definitely not worth it,” she said. “If I’m paying that much to camp in a ‘luxury’ camping spot, I’m going to get a house or an Airbnb for that price.”
Out of the 80,000-plus buyers, 60 percent have resorted to utilizing Coachella’s payment plan, which consists of equal payments until the full amount is settled. Heavy reliance on these installment plans suggests that attendees may be going out of their financial range to afford the festival. With such high demand, tickets sell out months before the lineups are announced, and over-selling tickets is a common problem across big events like Coachella, but this year, tickets stayed available months after pre-sale options were released, with tickets being available even days before the festival.
Coachella is notorious for inciting traffic all across the desert, and this year was no exception. Traffic entering the festival during the first weekend was especially difficult for visitors intending on camping out, and car campers described up to 12-hour-long waits with no provided food, water, or bathroom services. Despite controversy over the overcrowding of the Coachella event, Sariri said she didn’t find it to be as congested as it seemed. While addressing the issue at La Quinta City Council following the traffic issues, Senior Vice President of Public Safety with Goldenvoice, George Cunningham, spoke on the situation.
“Every year, we typically have a lull between one o’clock and six o’clock in the evening where it just dies down,” Cunningham said. “We didn’t have that. Everybody wanted to come early... the campers were in and they wanted to be here.”
Coachella clearly states that every performance is live-streamed on YouTube, with no strict policies that artists are instructed to follow. During Irish hip hop trio Kneecap’s set, the group projected three on-screen messages that were not broadcasted on Coachella’s official YouTube page. The messages included pro-Palestine statements such as “Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people,” which was followed by, “It is being enabled by the US government who arm and fund Israel despite their war crimes,” and ending the protestful remarks with, “[F**k] Israel. Free Palestine.”
Following the performance, Kneecap members took
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Coachella brings the performer Zedd to sing onstage during the event. Along with Zedd came performers such as Lady Gaga, Green Day, Post Malone and Travis Scott throughout Coachella week.
to social media platforms such as X to inform at-home viewers of the censorship that they were dealing with.
“Not the only thing that was cut - our messaging on the US-backed genocide in Gaza somehow never appeared on screens either,” said Kneecap in a tweet.
Other artists displayed activist gestures, with Green Day changing lyrics on the song “Jesus of Suburbia,” drawing attention to the children affected by the war with Hamas. Clairo’s special guest Bernie Sanders commended the artist on her activism, delivering an impactful statement before her set.
“I’m here because Clairo has used her prominence to fight for women’s rights, to try and end the terrible, brutal war in Gaza, where thousands of women and children are being killed.”
While the one-of-a-kind festival has its turmoils, it’s still loved by many. Many attendees, such as Abramson, have more positive views on the event.
“Overall, even if people don’t think the lineup is good, it’s still good to go...it’s still a fun experience,” Abramson said. “Even if you don’t know all the artists, it’s just a really fun place to be.”
AVID finishes their scavenger hunt, a series of tasks that needed to be completed to win a prize, including candy or gift cards.
Imani Toler Staff Writer
Jams avid students gather around to take a picture as they dab with Ms. Kariya for scavenger hunt.
Sharon Abramson / Contributor
Citlaly Preza / Contributor
Maggie Colburn / Contributor
Arts and Entertainment
War lines blur and seep into every eld, even the arts
Alisa Ignatenko Staff Writer
“If I die, I want a loud death, I don’t want to be just breaking news, or a number in a group, I want a death that the world will hear, an impact that will remain through time, and a timeless image that cannot be buried by time or place.”
In a heartbreaking wound to the creative industry, a Palestinian photojournalist, 25 year old Fatima Hasounna who was living in Gaza, got killed in an Israeli airstrike amid ongoing violence. Along with 10 relatives, including her pregnant sister. Dedicating the past year and a half to documenting violence, the demolition of her home, and displacement and murder of her 11 family members, her demand was that her life would not end quietly.
Hasounna was featured Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk, a film set to premiere at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, a breakthrough made a mere 24 hours before Hasounna’s life was taken from her. Directed and created by Sepideh Farsi, it tells the story of Gaza’s ordeal documentary style. During interviews with France 24 and Deadline, Farsi reflects on their collaboration.
“My eyes in Gaza … fiery and full of life. I filmed her laughs, her tears, her hopes and her depression. She was such a light, so talented. When you see the film you’ll understand”.
A month before her death, Oscar winning Palestinian director Hamdan Ballal was attacked and detained by Israeli forces. Ballal uses the art of his films to challenge the narrative that portrays Palestians through a lens of terrorism and victimhood, rather than acknowledging their humanity. Ballal was attacked and detained by Israeli forces on March 24, this triggered global demand for his release, which was issued 24 hours later. Despite the harrowing occurrence, he continues to speak out.
In his opinion essay for the New York Times titled, “My Oscar from ‘No Other Land’ Didn’t Protect Me From Violence”, he reflects on the intensity of his detainment.
“I am a film maker. I document injustice, and now I have lived it in my own flesh.”
The effects of the war bleed beyond cinema and journalism, it has seeped into the fashion industry as well. Morals and creative pursuits collide in many ways in the fashion world. Bella Hadid, the Palestinian-American supermodel has been using her platform to advocate for Palestians and voice her opinion on the war in Gaza. Despite her undeniable influence, Hadid faced professional setbacks in support for her homeland. This included being removed from high profile
campaigns from brands such as Adidas, and being absent from substantial runways. Despite the backlash, Hadid remains firm on her word.
“I’ll always be a proud Palestinian,” she says.
The impact of the war in Gaza didn’t only affect Palestinian models, with designers like Palestinian-British Fadi Kazem Sarandah also disrupting the fashion week process to spread awareness of hardships that fellow Palestinians experience. Sarandah withdrew his collection from London Fashion Week in protest and to counteract the silence of the industry. The withdrawal shouldn’t be viewed as only as a political statement, but as an uncomfortable truth of how the war is forcing creatives across all fields to side against their art, or moral responsibility. It is evident that violent military conflicts will almost never stay within the designated lines of war. The pain seeps into the arts, media, and fashion, which are the very industries that express the human experience. The death of Fatima Hassouna and detainment of Hamdan Ballal are not singular incidents, they are now woven into the vast pattern where artists of all kinds have to choose between a job, autonomy, and safety. The work is almost never solely about creative expression, it plays a huge role in documenting history. War doesn’t only take lives, it harms the preservation of stories. Concerning Palestine, where voices have been attempted to be silenced for a long time, the loss of journalists, filmmakers, and artists is especially heartbreaking.
Black Country, New Road makes a tender return
Claire Harrison Opinion Editor
Black Country, New Road (slangily regarded as BCNR) proves it’s still cool to be earnest with their April 4th release, “Forever Howlong”. Following the 2022 emotional epic “Ants From Up ere” and the succeeding departure of lead singer, Issac Wood, the bands future felt precarious at best without their lovably vulnerable frontman. But rather than collapsing, the now six-member crew o ered their 2023 “Live at Bush Hall” - a theatrical, self-directed live performance that doubled as a proof-of-life gesture. Cut to 2025 and “Forever Howlong” isn’t BCNR’s reinvention but more so their reassembly. It’s the sonic embodiment of them picking up their brilliant, still slightly broken pieces and arranging them into something almost resemblant of optimism.
Even before this release, BCNR had built their reputation as a stranger to algorithmic sameness and emotional vacancy of the modern music scene. When much of contemporary pop and rap blurs into a recycled trend-chasing haze, BCNR is refreshingly tactile - unmistakingly human in their quirks, intricate arrangements and need to actually say something. eir xation on a ecting vocals and meticulous instrumentals is obsessiveand precisely what makes the band so alluring.
“Besties”, the opening number and preceding single to the album’s release, is deceptively more winking and wistful than its title suggests. Georgia Ellery, the band’s violinist and missing half to pop duo Jockstrap, takes on lead vocals for the rst time, delivering a performance that’s a little aloof but completely addicting.
“Besties, night and day / Remember when I said he shouldn’t treat you that way and are you sure? / I know I want something more,” Ellery intoned.
It’s an ode to female friendships, mostly; the rest of it can be interpreted as an emotionally-knotted queer anthem as she cries of unrequited love in a tight-knit friendship. e folky “Nancy Tries to Takes the Night”, led by keyboardist May Kershaw, has taken fame as the heart of the album among fans. Kershaw’s vocals start brittle and faintly teary-eyed, yet gather their weight into something genuinely commanding alongside the increasingly swelling chords. It’s baroque, slightly cryptic and de nitely reminiscent of a classic Ants-era BCNR.
As a whole, “Forever Howlong” is telling of the band’s acute storytelling instincts under any theatrical circumstances. Take “Two Horses”, a tender and fragile song that touches on the quiet agony of an abusive relationship. e western track strips the charm from an unsuspecting James Dean lookalike, revealing
“A liar / A leech and a beggar” who ultimately betrays his lover (and crucially, her beloved horses) amidst his own whiskey-induced agitation. And yet ve songs later, we’ve veered into near absurdity as the self-titled number cuts through a whimsical recorder solo with quick wit, singing “I shall boil some beans / e last video I watched told me the pH of my gut microbiome was certainly causing my blues”. e line captures the essence of BCNR - unrestricted by lyrical uniformity and absolutely committed to emotional honesty, even if it’s captured through YouTube pseudoscience. Despite BCNR’s rise to fame among pretentious, European-rock addicted teenagers, alongside a formidable 1.2 million monthly Spotify listeners, their music still feels relatively underappreciated. And as strange as it is that such a technically accomplished band hasn’t reached stadium status, it also checks out in its own way. eir music is (wonderfully) tender and o en asks more of an average listener than most are willing to give. ere are no instant hits or especially sticky choruses, just a perpetual bloom of meaning - which doesn’t exactly storm the charts. Even “Forever Howlong”, which has been widely dubbed by critics as the simplest of the band’s four albums, isn’t really simple in any sense of the word. It’s not music that begs for your attention, nor will it meet you halfway - you have to want it, all of it.
e patience is part of the appeal though. e band has subsequently cultivated a following of diehards who accord their music the time of day it rightfully deserves. It’s not exclusivity or “gatekeeping” as much as it is sonic Darwinism: the inattentive fall away, leaving a fanbase of obsessives who listen with reverence. Not everyone wants to break apart instrument-heavy odes about mythological or emotionally-crushing story lines, but the ones who do can’t seem to get enough.
ry house to support nearby Marines, but things begin to escalate quickly and get dangerous.
“Warfare” delivered something that nearly every movie surrounding war lacks: authenticity– the time frame, the director, the dedication from the actors, every aspect of the lm attempted to accurately depict what the mission felt like. Released to theaters on April 11, it’s based on a true story about a real Navy SEAL
pected but e ective means, using body language and silence rather than drawn out speeches or deeper expressions to convey stress and pressure. is approach excelled in communicating what being in such a rapid-paced, action heavy environment as that of the Iraq war truly embodies the chemistry between the actors sells the idea that they are trusting each other with their lives.
during the Iraq War. “Warfare” occurred over one day in 2006, during a mission in Ramadi– a city known for being one of the most dangerous places during the war. A platoon of Navy SEALs sets up in a two-sto-
As the mission unravels, the creativity of the cinematography truly begins to show. Without the dramatic music or slow motion, the tense moments and sudden chaos of actual combat are shown extensively throughout the movie. One of the best things about “Warfare” is how non-scripted it feels, since director Ray Mendoza lived through these kinds of missions, everything from the way the team talks to how they move feels raw. e dialogue doesn’t just resemble movie lines from a script– it emulates sincere conversations. e team acts as if they’ve trained and worked together for years, making every scene appear to be an authentic glimpse into a real Navy SEAL mission in Iraq. Additionally, the camera work and sound design make the movie feel hyper-realistic. Mendoza and co-director Alex Garland use elongated and steady shots, instead of using the standard shaky, unrealistic camera shots.
All actors gave a strong performance, particularly Cosmo Jarvis, who played Elliott Miller. Miller doesn’t have lengthy conversations or dramatic breakdowns and instead seems to focus on who this character is instead of “acting.” Everything is visible, whether it’s the worry in their eyes or even the tension in their body language. e actors share the stress and pressure of the mission through unex-
Although it has amazing cinematography and acting, “Warfare” particularly lacks overall character development and overall plot. While it tries to show the impact of combat on soldiers, it misses the mark and overall keeps the repercussions vague. By trying to keep the movie focused on the mission, Mendoza avoids the possibility of diving into backstories and personal moments for the characters, losing a great deal of emotional potential in the lm. In movies, personal moments help to foster a better understanding of a character’s backstory, which leads to gaining an emotional connection more thoroughly.
Overall, “Warfare” is one of the most realistic war lms in years. It’s not too ashy, but it delivered its message in a quiet, honest way. It shows war not as a story, but as something that was based on a true story—and that’s what makes it stand out.
Manny Lopez
Photography Editor
Art by Kayman Mangan
Spotify / Contributor Forever Howlong” album cover.
Car Seat Headrest’s newest display of sorrow to the extreme
Beloved indie-rock band Car Seat Headrest’s (CSH) ve-year hiatus was broken on May 2, revealing their new Indie-Rock album: “ e Scholar”. Consistency is always key– except in the case of Car Seat Headrest. “ e Scholar” simply holds too many similarities from previous albums and generally doesn’t foster anything to be especially excited about.
e nine song album provides a glimpse into lead singer Will Toledo’s love for beautiful classic rock music, throughout, he selectively draws cohesive story elements from multiple timeless rock bands including David Bowie and Pink Floyd. Lyrics such as “Walked the stars” and “Ziggy” are likely references to David Bowie’s “Ziggy Stardust” and “Space Oddity”. ese also reveal themes of cosmic longing and alienation, which connects to themes CSH has explored in various di erent pieces in their discography, such as “Teens of Denial” and “My Back is Killing Me Baby”.
e rst third of the album is in the band’s typical methodology; whiny vocals, dejected lyrics and a mix of muddled musical mystery to tie it all together. While one could argue that most of their released music follows the same melancholy, story-telling path and while technically, consistency is not a curse; switching it up and showing the world that their talent can turn in a multitude of directions might be bene cial to the reputation of the band. However, the album begins to diverge around song four, “ e Catastrophe (Good Luck With at, Man)”, while its narrative lyrics are still reminiscent of classic Car Seat Headrest format, the music is signi cantly more buoyant than the previous songs. It gives “ e Scholar” the feeling of ca eine nally hitting your system in the morning at the beginning of a (likely) grim week. It’s not an experience you’re necessarily looking forward to, but there is no way to go but straight, to face what’s awaiting you no matter what that may entail. In comparison, the three songs prior to it appear sleepy and sloppy, stumbling around to nd all their things and stumble out the door on time. e overarching issue with the album is immaturity, glum and border-line miserable stories that are the constant focus of CSH’s sound. It can quickly become tiring a er almost every studio release
preaching the same sorrowful spiel. However, not every song in the album reeks of the washed-up, hyper xation on the past rendering, in actuality, “Gethsemane” brings an overall more fully- edged perspective to the table. “You can love again, if you try again”, is repeated like a mantra during the conclusion of the song, encapsulating the thematic message that self-confrontation can lead to redemption. It’s an almost 11-minute anthem of despair, guilt, hope, salvation, it displays the parallels
between new and old and the yearning that comes with learning all the habits you once detested with the upmost disdain. “Gethsemane” still maintains the desperate lyricism the band is known for, but in addition, provides a wiser outlook and cuts the constant gloomy persona of “ e Scholar”.
CSH already has the reputation of being down in the dumps and a great listen when indulging the pain is needed. However, the depth of the band is truly up for debate a er this release; although it’s common for bands to stick to what they are skilled at, the complete lack of diversity in their sound and production fails to show if they are capable of variety at all. e majority of Car Seat Headrest songs encompass dwelling on the past and teenage angst, this of course is a narrative that will always gravitate towards people, but for a band well into their thirties, growing up, just a tad, might be a shi worth considering.
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Samo hosts Shakespeare festival
Sia Kresch Staff Writer
For the very rst time, Samo hosted the annual Shakespeare festival on Sat., Apr. 26. e festival is part of the Drama Teachers Association of Southern California (DTASC), an organization whose goal is to celebrate creativity in theater and education. Each year, schools with theater programs across Southern California come to participate in the festival. Such schools include Palisades Charter High School, Arcadia High School, El Camino High School and more.Samo student Sophie Castellanos (’26) attended the festival, appreciating the diverse range of schools that took part in the festival.
“My favorite part of the festival is being able to see all the other schools’ creative takes on the categories and meeting new people,” Castellanos said. “I also love how it brings our school together.”
e festival features di erent “Shakespearean” categories, the two overarching categories being tech and acting. Each year, the categories within them change, but every year, lighting design, monologues, costumes, large group scenes and more are featured.
tion: Middle school, Junior Varsity (JV), and Varsity.
While most middle schoolers compete in the Middle School group, Junior Varsity can also contain eighth graders. e JV group also contains freshman and Varsity is composed of those in grades 10-12.
is year, Samo placed rst in JV Shakespeare in the Park, rst in JV Large Group Comedy, rst in Varsity monologues, third in Varsity Shakespeare in the Park, and fourth in the overall festival.
e preparation that takes place for the festival is extremely thorough and begins months before the festival happens. e process starts with auditions once the fall play closes, Ms. Barraza then decides who is participating and what category/scene each student will be apart of. Students then receive scenes, scripts, and commence with a er school rehearsals.
Castellanos explains the hard work and care that went into preparing for the festival, which helped lead them to their many victories.
“Once we were casted, we received our scripts and started working. We brought in an amazing acting coach, Gina, who is an expert in the Shakespeare festival and helped us build our scenes. Castellanos says.
Tegan Blaine (’26) also took part in the festival, sharing what it was like the day of.
“For the actual festival day, we got to school around 8 a.m., then competed in two qualifying rounds with other scenes from our category,” Blaine said. “A er lunch, we had one more round with the scenes that made it to the nals. en there was an awards ceremony at 4:30 p.m.; we were out by 7p.m..”
A er months of preparation, the Samo theater program was able to put on strong performances, showcasing their talent and passion. Samo plans on partaking in the festival next year and for future years to come.
Art by Raha Ghoroghichian
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Where are the bu women in media? A critique on disappointing casting
In 2025, it’s disheartening to see that the media still struggles to portray women accurately; instead of showcasing them as competent leaders or innovators, they’re o en depicted as overly emotional, manipulative, or cold, reinforcing outdated gender norms. is misrepresentation extends beyond behavior to physical appearance. In franchises like “Marvel” or series like “ e Last of Us”, female characters meant to be strong and t are sometimes cast without the same physical preparation expected of their male counterparts. is double standard undermines the authenticity of these roles and sends a message that a woman’s strength is secondary to their appearance.
In season two of “ e Last of Us”, Abby, played by Kaitlyn Dever, is a strong badass survivor who was written into the videogame as physically imposing. Characterized with muscular arms and broad shoulders, she has the type of strength you’d expect from someone who spends her life ghting to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. In the game, her build wasn’t just for looks; it was central to the identity and emotional journey of her character. However, in the HBO adaptation, many people were upset with the casting, saying that the actress doesn’t phys- ically resemble the character’s ca- nonical robustness. e backlash wasn’t rooted in body
Dever, or trying to gatekeep what strength looks like- it’s about consistency and upholding the same physical standards for female and male characters. Male actors are o en expected to undergo intense transformations to t roles (think Chris Hemsworth’s or or Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine), yet when a woman’s role is just as physically demanding, suddenly expectations disappear. is not only diminishes the realism of the story, but it also reinforces the idea that, when it comes to meeting arduous physiques, women are always below men.
Research by Gabriela Morales Rodriguez and Johnny Lopez-Figueroa in the Journal of Student Research highlights how the media has historically constrained women to traditional roles, depicting them as either caring gures or hostile antagonists. ey note a shi in the early 2000s, where femininity was vili ed, leading young girls to distance themselves from traditional feminine traits to appeal to male standards. is internalized misogyny, perpetuated by media narratives, has lasting impacts on how women perceive themselves and their roles in society.
Feminism is constantly painted in a bad light as people think it’s just this man-hating regime when, in actuality, feminism isn’t about hating men at all; it’s about demanding better. e idea of feminism has been around for centuries and has gotten us to the place we are today, it’s about creating space where women don’t have to shrink themselves, literally or metaphorically, and to be taken seriously in a society that has continuously undermined the impact thatwomen make in the world. e tendency to label outspoken women as aggressive or radical is just another way to keep us repressed and silent. As time progresses, people have started to smudge the
harsh line between the capabilities of men and women, but there’s still a long way to go before we can all be equally represented as one persons and not a million factions of better or worse groups.
Still, there are bright spots, proof that the media can, in fact, get it right. “Black Panther” gives us some of the most powerful and well-rounded female characters in recent lm. Shuri (Letitia Wright) isn’t just a genius; she’s a scientist, a ghter, and a leader grappling with grief and pressure in a deeply human way. Similarly, Okoye (Danai Gurira), a warrior who balances erce loyalty to her nation with the emotional weight of sacri ce continuously proves the strength that women embody. e producers didn’t try and sugarcoat these women or make them seem weak. ey’re not only physically strong, but mentally and emotionally as well. ey lead without apology, they mourn without being weak and they ght not because they have something to prove but because they have something to protect.
e same can be said for Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) in “ e Hunger Games” series. Katniss was never written to be likeable in the traditional sense, and that’s exactly what made her revolutionary. She’s emotionally guarded, uncomfortable with fame, and constantly questioning the things around her.
resists be-
ing turned into a symbol, yet becomes one through her integrity and strength. Unlike so many female leads before her, Katniss isn’t sexualized or overpolished. Her strength doesn’t come from superpowers or charm, but from resilience, survival, and the courage to stand up for what’s right. Both Shuri and Katniss show that there’s no one way to be strong; you can lead with science or brute strength, or both, regardless of who you are physically. ese characters aren’t awless or empowering in a neat and marketable way, they’re real in a way all women and media should be. Moreover, the lack of diverse representation exacerbates the issue. Women of color, queer women and transgender women are o en erased or stereotyped in media portrayals. Such misrepresentations not only marginalize these groups but also deny audiences the opportunity to see the full spectrum of women’s experiences and strengths.
Accurate and diverse portrayals of powerful women are crucial in challenging societal biases and promoting gender equity. When the media showcases women as multifaceted individuals— leaders, innovators—it empowers audiences to envision a more inclusive and equitable world.
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Maxine Kehoe Arts and Entertainment Editor
the
She
Athena Barefoot Staff Writer
Art by Raha Ghoroghichian
Spotify / Contributor
The Scholar” album cover.
Los Angeles teams fall short in an otherwise thrilling NBA playoffs
Ryan Colvin Staff Writer
The 2025 NBA playoffs are well underway, with each series having reached completion on Sunday, May 4. With the top eight teams in each conference pitted up against each other in a bracket format (first place against eighth, second against seventh and so on), the first round set the tone for what should be an enthralling remainder of the postseason.
In the western conference, the Minnesota Timberwolves completed an emphatic upset over LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, winning game five in Los Angeles 103-96 to secure a 4-1 series win. Despite the midseason acquisition of Luka Doncic completely redirecting the Lakers’ success, their small-ball lineup wasn’t able to compete with the size of Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle and company for Minnesota. Facing elimination, the Lakers bench wasn’t able to make a single shot in game five. Landon Kozmor (’25) reflects on what this series could have meant for LeBron’s legacy.
“I couldn’t believe how we just didn’t show up, knowing that this could be LeBron’s last playoff series,” Kozmor said. “This really could have enhanced the narrative that a 40 year old can just go on forever and beat anyone. He was scoring 30, 40, and they would still find a way to lose somehow.”
The Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers produced the most thrilling moments of the first round. The Clippers appeared to be in the driver’s seat carrying a 20 point lead into the fourth quarter of game four, but an improbable surge from Nikola Jokić and the Nuggets led to a walk-off dunk from Aaron Gordon with 0.1 seconds left. The Nuggets went on to win game five at home, but the Clippers managed to fend off elimination in Los Angeles and win game six. Heading to Denver for the pivotal game seven, the Nuggets stormed their
way to a 120-101 victory to win the series 4-3. Roen Peral ta (’25) spoke out on what went wrong for the Clippers with their backs against the wall.
“We always seem to fall flat when it matters most, all of the sudden we couldn’t hit a three to save our lives,” Peralta said. “James Harden did what does in elimination games: disap pear. He needs to stop fixing his beard and start fixing his jumpshot.”
The first seed Oklahoma City Thunder took their league best 68-14 record into the playoffs firing on all cylinders, sweeping the Memphis Grizzlies and becoming the first team to punch their ticket to the second round. The Houston Rockets, one of the surprise packages of the regular season, managed to force a game seven after falling behind 3-1 against the experienced Golden State Warriors. Returning to Houston for the final game, the Rockets offense fell flat as the Warriors crushed their comeback aspirations in a 103-89 victory.
On the east coast, the Cleveland Cavaliers carried the mo mentum from their dominant regular season into their matchup with the Miami Heat, completing the sweep in Florida with a 55 point massacre on Monday, April 28. The defending champion Boston Celtics cruised their way to a 4-1 series win over the Orlando Magic, holding them to 100 points or less in each game. The three seed New York Knicks came out on top of an intense series with the Detroit Pistons 4-2, while the Indiana Pacers asserted their dominance in an imposing 4-1 series win over Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks.
A unique balance between dominant sweeps, historical blowouts and low scoring, nail-biting finishes has been un derlined by a common theme of physicality that is making this the most unpredictable postseason run in recent memory. We
From predictions to picks: How the NFL draft played out
The National Football League (NFL) hosted the 90th annual draft, where the NFL franchises select newly eligible players for their roster, from April 24-26. It took place in Green Bay, Wisconsin, at the home stadium of the Green Bay Packers, Lambeau Field. The first overall pick went to the Tennessee Titans, who finished with the worst record in the 2024-25 NFL season. The Philadelphia Eagles, who won the last Super Bowl, held pick 32, the last pick in the first round. In all, there were 257 players drafted across seven separate rounds. Each year, there are mock drafts, during which sports analysts make their predictions about which players will be drafted and where they will go. One of the more well-known analysts is Field Yates, who attempts to predict all 32 firstround picks in his mock draft. Like most insiders, his mock draft is created by tying together team needs, what he’s been hearing, and the top prospects to predict the draft with the most information available. Yates is one of many so-called “experts” in the guessing game. With the 24-hour NFL news cycle, online forums, podcasts and fans thinking they know best, there is no shortage of opinion. And for the most part, the draft boards fall relatively close to predicted, at least through the top ten or so picks. The teams themselves and analysts use programs to crunch the numbers and run hundreds, even thousands, of mock drafts to get an understanding of the percentages and likelihood of players being available on the board when it’s their turn to pick.
The consensus number one overall pick and prospect was quarterback Cam Ward from the University of Miami. He was drafted first overall by the Tennessee Titans due to their need for a new quarterback; Ward brings a threat with his legs
¨Cam Skattebo should have gotten drafted earlier; he’s an aggressive runner [and] he’s gonna be a problem on the Giants and also Shedeur Sanders [should have been drafted earlier] because he’s better than he gets credited for. I think Abdul Carter will succeed in the NFL, and Cam Ward. Travis Hunter shouldn’t have been drafted because he’s gonna be overrated since he can’t play both ways and I don’t see him having any longevity,” Sheridan said.
and playmaking. The real excitement began with the second overall pick when the Cleveland Browns traded out of the pick for additional future picks with the Jacksonville Jaguars, who moved up from the fifth overall pick to the second to take the dual-threat Heisman Trophy-winning wide receiver and defensive back, Travis Hunter. Next, the New York Giants selected Abdul Carter, a defensive end from Penn State, known for being an outstanding pass rusher, who led the nation with 23.5 tackles for loss in 2024. Will Campbell was drafted fourth by the Patriots as a powerful tackle with the capabilities to protect their quarterback, Drake Maye. Even though he is 319 pounds, he still holds speed and agility as he ran a sub-five-second 40-yard dash.
Avid football watcher and part of the Samo football team,
Sedona Prince controversy casts shadow over
Addy Fiore Staff Writer
The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) draft for the 2025 season occurred on April 14, with excitement, surprises and allegations. The WNBA draft is a high-
would be top and bottom choices. Outstanding player and TikTok craze Paige Bueckers, who currently plays for the University of Connecticut, was top pick for most professional teams. The Dallas Wings picked her up first through the lottery system. The Wings expect her to bring her scoring ability and leadership qualities for the betterment of their team. After Bueckers, Dominique Malonga, the second overall pick, was drafted by the Seattle Storm. Malonga wasn’t a surprise pick for most as she’s a dominant presence on the court and widely recognized for her talent, even considering she comes from France and plays internationally. Following the front two, Sonia Citron, who played college ball at Notre Dame University, was drafted third overall by the Washington Mystics.
Although draft day was a joyous day for most prospects, the same can’t be said for Sedona Prince, the top Texas Christian University player. She was accused with off court allegations which entail sexual and emotional abuse towards her ex-partners. Prince allegedly pushed her ex-girlfriend off of an ATV in Mexico and abandoned her in a jungle in addition to grabbing another woman by force and touching her without consent.
With these now taken into consideration, she was ejected from winning potential awards as well as taken out of the draft. Prince denied all allegations and referred to them as “false, defamatory and misleading”.
Following this statement, the public has had controversial
One of the biggest surprises was Shedeur Sanders, a University of Colorado Boulder quarterback. He was predicted to be one of the biggest prospects for NFL teams, supposedly even in the top five; instead, he fell to the fifth round and was drafted with the 144th overall pick to the Cleveland Browns, but he wasn’t even the first quarterback the team drafted. It is hypothesized that he got drafted lower than expected because Sanders had issues with holding the ball, and his arm strength was questionable. Proving he could be a franchise leader was another area Saunders struggled with as he met with teams. He did not handle his pre-draft process responsibly by not appearing at the NFL scouting combine, refusing to visit with certain teams and skipping all-star games. This showed Sanders to come off as arrogant and brash, with concerns about his entitlement, overconfidence and not showing effort.
NBC Sports’ Chris Simms shared his opinion on the matter “[There are] too many people early on in the process- too many unqualified people making statements. And it misleads the public, I have been saying for six weeks I wouldn’t be surprised if {Sanders} fell,¨ Simms said.
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WNBA draft
opinions about Prince not being able to be drafted.
While Prince’s ex-partners were filing charges against her, some people argue that while there are allegations, there is a lack of evidence against Prince and her athletic abilities shouldn’t be overshadowed by outside circumstances. By contrast, there was a petition for her to not be drafted with over 200,000 signatures causing it to be passed and put into motion.
Hannah Margulis (’28), an avid follower of the WNBA, offers her own perspective on Prince’s draft circumstances.
“I wasn’t surprised with the fact that Sedona wasn’t drafted because the WNBA doesn’t stand for that. I agree with her not being drafted because if she is being accused multiple times then you have to take the accusations seriously.”
The draft brought with it a number of surprising twists, also including Hailey Van Lith dropping down to the 12th pick of the draft, even though experts had projected her to be a top 10 or even potentially a top five pick. In addition to Van Lith, Shyanne Sellers, the 17th overall pick of the draft who was projected to be a great fit for the Golden State Valkyries was released from training camp after only one week.
Overall the 2025 WNBA draft held many surprises and successes for many women and set the stage for an exciting season ahead.
Art by Raha Ghoroghchian
Olivia Stephansen Social Media Editor
Samo track athletes dominate final league meet
Ryan Kim Student Life Editor
As the track team’s season began on Feb. 26, the ’24-’25 season succeeded in breaking personal records and bringing a new dynamic for the groups. Throughout the season, the boys’ and girls’ track teams qualified for numerous events, such as the Redondo Nike Track Festival, the 2025 14th Tiger Invitational, South Bay Championships and the Ocean League Prelims & Finals.
The Ocean League Prelims & Finals marked one of the most important meets of the season, determining which athletes would advance to CIF. Held at Culver City High School, the meet featured the top athletes from the league, featuring a wide range of track and field events, including sprints, distance races, hurdles, relays and field events like high jump, long jump, pole vault, shot put, and discus. During most of the events, Samo nearly dominated each one amongst the other seven high schools. The boys’ team stood out in multiple races: All the boys who ran in the Varsity 800 Meter-Finals placed in the 11th out of 12 racers, top 5th out of 10 in the 1600 Meters Varsity - Finals, as well as top 5th out of 21 in the 3200 Meters Varsity, with runners like Emerson Hill (’26) breaking personal records. In other events, such as pole vaults and shot put, Ian Oakes (’27) placed 1st out of 7, breaking his PR as well as Ryan Wells (’25) who placed 1st out of 13.
The girls’ team broke multiple records and placed high amongst the Ocean League Finals. During the 400 Meter Varsity-Final, Shenandoah Markos (’26) broke her PR with a time of 59.18a, placing 1st out of 8. During the 800 Meters Varsity - Finals, Phoebe Benun (’25), Crystal Gaitan (’26) and Maggie McLaughlin (’27) placed 3rd out of 11. In the 300m Hurdles - 30” Varsity - Finals, Charlie Llorente (’27) broke her personal record with a time of 49.98a. Breaking more records, the Discus - 1kg Varsity - Finals had Olivia
Duarte (’27) and Aurora Ahloo (’25) breaking their PR’s and placing in the top 2 of 9 competitors. As a result, the track will be heading to the California Interscholastic Federation-Southern Section (CIF) preliminary on May 10.
While the team initially started out strong, it was at the Tiger Invitational at South Pasadena High School that changed the team’s dynamic, gaining the confidence to prepare for future meets and breaking countless records, from the varsity teams to the discus competitors. The head coach, Richard Rucker, said he feels good about what they accomplished with how far the team has gone.
“I’ve seen a lot of good things happen…Once they got a chance to go to the Tiger Invitational in Pasadena, that changed everything,” Ruckers said. “The team came back very positive. Their mindset was different—even their outlook was different.”
Katie Saunders, one of the assistant track coaches and
sports medicine teacher, agreed, saying that it wasn’t just the invitational but the dedication and passion the runners put into every meet.
“You can’t just teach someone to want [to commit to the sport and strive for excellence],” Saunders said. “And these kids want to be here…they’re working hard, and it shows. They’re there because they belong there. And I think that resonated [with everyone].”
Throughout the season, personal records have continued to be broken, from the vigorous training and stretching they do during practice to the motivation the coaches created to be recognized as a full-fledged team instead of just being known as a distance school.
“In the track world, [Samohi] was known as a distance school. But I knew we’d made it when someone told me, ‘Wow, I haven’t seen Santa Monica in sprints and hurdles for like 15 years.’ That really put a date on it,” Ruckers said. In addition to the success on the track, the team also made major strides in field events. Newcomers in discus and shot put steadily improved over the season, with Olivia Duarte (’27) achieving a personal record in discus that drew cheers from teammates.
“‘I didn’t know that she’d PR yet when she threw it, but her teammates knew that it was a PR and that told me at that moment that they’re looking out for each other,” Saunders said. “That’s all I can ask for, and I’m so proud.”
As the season heads into the CIF, the coaches talk about moments that stood out personally to them.
“I saw a kid who had never run hurdles before go out at prelims, fall down, pick up his glasses, put them back on, and still qualify for finals,” Ruckers said. “I also saw a kid who did all of the training for about 43 minutes in the pole vault, go in and win that event against people who have been pole vaulting for years.”
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Boys’ golf looks to compete in CIF playoffs
Dalia Puchalt News Editor
Samo boys’ golf will finish their 2024-2025 season at the CIF Southern Section Championships. The Vikings wrapped up their season with a tight record of 11-3 overall and 8-2 in the Ocean League, earning them a second place standing. Seven of the team’s nine players also qualified for league finals as individuals, including Theo Rogers (’27), Ethan Edwards (’27), Jonas Haselhoff (’27), Elliot Alexander (’26), Alexander Sebastian (’26), Sydney Docter (’28) and Captain Luke Khosla (’25).
Led by Khosla and Head Coach Bart Burdick, the team’s performance has seen a considerable uptick since last season, when they ended with a final record of 4-5-1. Despite the team’s switch into a new and arguably more challenging league, Khosla is proud to have competed so well in his third and final year as captain.
“Our performance has definitely been better overall. The league as a whole is arguably more competitive than last year,” Khosla said. “El Segundo is a really good team, and
we played a lot of our teams from out of our league that are really solid. So our scoring average and everything is a lot better.”
In fact, despite losing two matches to El Segundo High School’s undefeated team on April 22 and April 24 with respective scores of 177-165 and 207-191, Khosla is still proud of the team’s performance in those matches and views them as the highlight of the season. Although the Vikings were wary of their new competitors at the beginning of the season, the most challenging matches proved to be the most rewarding.
“Even in our losses against El Segundo, we played really, really well,” Khosla said. “Statistically, we gave them the best fight out of any team in our league. Definitely some of our best matches.”
Other stand-out matches included the Vikings’ matches against Torrance, winning 204-211 on April 1 and 198-220 on April 3.
The teams were ranked equally going into the season, a statistic that did not hinder the team’s performance as they secured victory after victory.
“We knew we were going to have to play really, really well in order to beat them be -
cause skillswise, our teams are so equal,” Khosla said. “We set our season best scores against that team [Torrance] which was really important for scoring second place and giving ourselves a good chance to get into championships.”
Stand-out players this season included underclassmen Rogers, Edwards and Docter, all of whom qualified for finals as individuals and fared extremely well against teams with majority-senior rosters consisting of over 50 players. Oftentimes, the Vikings would head into matches with five people, the minimum number competitors required to compete. As the only senior, Khosla is optimistic about the team’s future as he prepares to graduate.
“We’ve stacked up against teams that have so many more resources, so many more players—just way more established. And we’ve never let that faze us as a program,” Khosla said. “The circumstances don’t really matter. If you want it, you can get it.”
The team looks forward to their two CIF playoff games, scheduled for May 12 and May 22.
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Boys’ tennis enters playoffs as Ocean League champions
The Samo boys’ tennis team completed its 2025 regular season with an 11-2 overall record and a 6-0 record in Ocean League, securing the
league championship for the first time in the Ocean League. The team went undefeated in league competition and has qualified for both CIF Division II and Division III postseason play.
During the season, Samo recorded notable league wins, including victories over Inglewood (18-0), Culver City High School (14-1, 10-8, 14-4) and Beverly Hills High School (15-3, 153). Their only two losses came in non-league matches against Windward High School (8-10) and Redondo Union High School (8-10).
The team ended the Ocean League championship by going 14-2 and having a league record of 12-0.
Singles player, Jude Pandola-Palik (‘28), shares how rewarding this win was for the team
“Gaining this title felt really rewarding after all the hard work we put in. We’ve got a strong team, and if we stay focused, hungry, and trust our work it will hopefully show off in the play-
offs,” Pandola-Palik said.
This year’s boys’ tennis team was led by captain Jordan Makhani (’25), who worked his way up throughout the season. While he didn’t start at the top at the beginning of his four years, his consistent improvement and leadership earned him the captain role, where he helped guide the team to victories both on and off the court. Makhani secured five set wins this season, showing steady individual performance. Some of the season’s star players include top singles players Hudson White (’25) and Vincent Cheng (’25). Both stood out in the matches against Inglewood High School, with clean 6-0 wins in all three of their sets. Meanwhile, undefeated first doubles partners Levi Title (’25) and Christopher Rhee (’25) posted the best doubles record in the entire division, averaging three points per match and totaling 30 points on the season each. Captain Jordan Makhani spoke about his personal improve-
ments throughout the season.
“Overall I was very happy with my leadership throughout the season, I made sure to be a captain and a teammate which is an important balance,” Makhani said. “ The team this year was fierce and ready to show how we’ve progressed and I mean it worked, our doubles team is undefeated and we won Ocean League Champions.”
The next steps for the team after securing the Ocean League Championship title will be advancing to the CIF playoffs, which begin May 7 and will run through May 22. Recent victories over Culver City and Beverly Hills contributed to their first place finish; the team hopes this streak will continue throughout the postseason.
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Luke Khosla (’25) lines up a putt in game against Torrance on April 3 at the Rancho Park Golf Course.
Luke Khosla / Contributor
Kamerin Shakir / The Samohi
The Samo boys’ tennis team warms up for practice on May 5.
Kamerin Shakir Staff Writer
David Hunzinger / Contributor
Brooklyn Tarin (’27) and Lila Beal (’27) race to the finish line in the Frosh/Soph Girls’ league preliminaries.
League champs Samo boys’ volleyball brings momentum into CIFs
Sia Kresch Staff Writer
The Samo boys’ volleyball team recently wrapped up their regular season, where they went undefeated and placed first with a 7-0 record in Ocean League, won the league tournament, and had an overall record of 21-8. They are currently competing in the Division 3 CIF playoffs.
Over spring break, the team also participated in an invitational tournament called “Clash of the Titans.” The tournament was held at Punahou High School in Honolulu, Hawaii, and the team went 3-3.
Head Coach Pete Barraza attributes the team’s in-league games, out-of-league match-ups and tournaments as key factors in their success this season.
“While the league isn’t as strong as last year, we played a lot of teams outside of our league,” Barraza said. “We were able to prove that we could play against teams that are just as strong if not stronger than us.”
Although the Ocean League is not as strong as the Bay League, it helped build the team’s momentum going into CIFs. Team Captain Ali Badr (’25) shares a similar view, feeling that the games have helped improve the team’s chemistry, which has been extremely impactful in the team’s victories.
“League playoffs went well because the team felt comfortable the whole time,” Badr said. “Finding our team chemistry and becoming more cohesive has helped us tremendously in our games, and
will help us in CIFs.”
Barraza also recognizes the importance of having a strong team connection, both on and off the court.
“I think they are at a point where they’re really counting on each other, supporting each other and playing together,“ Barraza said. “And in that regard, it’s been a really nice privilege to see how they’ve been able to play by trusting each other on the court; they’ve become really good.”
The team competed in their first CIF game on Wed. Apr. 30, against Camarillo High School, where they won 3-2. After falling short of CIFs last year, the team made it a top focus of theirs to qualify this season. Barraza notes that the hard work that the team has put in since the start of the season to reach their goal has paid off.
“[With] any sports team it’s a process; you put in the work and it hopefully shows,” Barraza said. “Since the fall, they have been training hard in the weight room and on the beach. They have played many different teams that have challenged them, many of whom they’ve beaten.”
On Fri. May 2, the team played against University High School, winning 3-0, advancing them further into CIFs. The next game will take place on Wed. May 4, against Warren High School.
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Samo girls’ beach volleyball grows stronger despite tough season
Koi Lerner Staff Writer
The Samo girls’ beach volleyball team ended the season with an overall record of 3-6, failing to qualify for playoffs.
Throughout the season, the team dealt with many problems- stemming from both the weather and environment. Jasmine Martinez (’26), one of the players, discusses how the team dealt with the weather.
“We had to play through the rain, a lot of wind,” Martinez said. “We had to adjust to the weather. We did a lot of practices in the wind and we were able to realize what changes we needed to make and we made them. Our skills have improved a lot this season… we worked a lot as a team, so our bond, as a team, is a lot stronger.”
Additionally, the girls also had to adjust to playing on the sand instead of an indoor court. Liane Sato, the coach for the team, discusses how playing on the beach affects the game.
“Playing beach volleyball is very challenging.” Sato said. “Players need to get used to playing in the sand. We call that getting “sand legs” It takes a while to adjust. There are also a variety of elements players need to adjust to: the sun and the wind are huge factors.”
Throughout the season, the team wished to improve their skills. Since beach volleyball has only two players on the court at once, each girl has to be able to do each and every skill successfully. Martinez discusses how the team met their goals.
“We mainly just wanted to work on improving our skills,” Martinez said. “We definitely adapted and were able to achieve our goals.”
Arianna Ballard (’26) discusses what the team wishes to continue on from this season to the next.
“We want to improve next season by starting off strong, keeping the same energy all season, and pushing ourselves even harder in practice.” Ballard said. “I think we built energy towards the end of the season so hopefully we can channel it into next season.”
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Samo girls’ lacrosse ends challenging season with progress and promise
Samo girls’ lacrosse wrapped up a challenging season with a 6-13 overall record and an 0-2 league record. Samo played their last game of the season against Village Christian High School, losing 9-15. This year, they unfortunately fell short of making CIFs, however, they were able to focus on building up team community and strength.
For their 2025 season, girls’ lacrosse has a multitude of 15 new
freshman players. The team used the many opportunities this season gave them to expand and hone their team skills. While there are seven seniors graduating including Hayden Hansen (’25), Ila Labb (’25), Sydney Ong (’25), Sophie Roth (’25), Hailey Schreier (’25), Tess Sloan (’25) and Isabella Tarin (’25), the current freshmen show large potential and are motivated for their next season. Team coach Brian Patenaude expresses his perspective on the season.
“The team grew from every game, but especially the games we lost. We learned what we do well and what we need to get better with the game of lacrosse,” said Patenaude. “We started learning how to play with no hesitation and play together.”
Samo faced losses in many trying matches, but overall was able to experience closer and closer losses, showing great progress. Samo played Culver City on March 5 and 21, and while they didn’t win either, they improved on the field. Tehmina Zarin (’26) speaks on her experience during the season and their games against Culver City.
“I feel the season was a great building and teaching opportunity. I think we did pretty good for the teams we played, and when it counted, we did perform,” said Zarin. “We played Culver City twice and the first time we weren’t very close to winning, but the second we only lost by a few points which shows massive growth and great performance.”
However, Samo pulled through the season with some solid wins including a 22-13 win against Hart, a 10-5 win against Chadwick, a 17-6 win against Palisades, a 14-10 win against Valencia and an impressive 14-3 win against Beverly Hills. Additionally, Samo, playing Beverly Hills for a second time, had a spirited and memorable senior night with an emphatic 19-6 win.
“Our senior night felt very successful because every senior, including the defenders, scored a goal which was a big highlight,”
said.
Coach Patenaude is enthusiastic and hopeful about lacrosse’s next season. Returning players are already working hard to get ready for next season and Patenaude believes in their bright future getting back into the playoffs. The team had an overall great season for learning better communication and teamwork. Hansen expresses her gratitude for her senior year experience.
“Throughout the season I feel we became so much closer as a team, I’m really proud of our girls for everything we’ve achieved and worked so hard towards,” Hansen said.
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Labb
Emma Godfrey Staff Writer
Sean Saunders hits the ball over the net at a home game for the Samo Vikings boys’ volleyball team against Lawndale High School on April 22.
Sydney Ong (’25) (left) and Hayden Hansen (’25) (right) play on their senior night, April 21, against Beverly Hills High School winning 19-6.
Addie Burns / The Samohi
Arata Sakamoto / The Samohi
Koi Lerner / The Samohi
Abigail Gonzalez Aguilar (’28) hits a serve to the duo on the other side of the net during a practice held on the Santa Monica beach
Arata Sakamoto / The Samohi Isabella Van Bilderbeek (’26) plays against Beverly Hills High School on March 21, Samo Girls Lacrosse Senior Night, winning 19-6.
Koi Lerner / The Samohi
Michelle Li (’27) jumps to spike the ball over the net during practice, while duo Kaeli Horwitz (’27) watches.
Samo baseball finishes their season 13-0 as they enter playoffs
Ryan Colvin Staff Writer
Samo baseball is approaching the end of a near flawless 2025 regular season, finishing first in Ocean League with a perfect 13-0 record in competitive play. With a 19-6 overall record entering May, the Vikings find themselves ranked 14th in the Southern Section Division V entering CIF’s. After last year’s devastating loss to Chino Hills High School in the CIF final, Samo is looking to finish the job this time around
off the back of some impressive performances.
After some fine tuning during a hit-andmiss spring training, the Vikings hit stride when the stakes were highest. Following back to back blowout victories over Inglewood High School, Samo wrapped up the month of April with their two most impressive wins of the season. Hosting the Loyola Cubs in a non-league evening showdown, a complete game shutout from senior Eddie Jennings (’25) spearheaded a hardfought 1-0 victory for the Vikings over the school sitting 181 places above them in the California rankings. With two outs and the bases loaded in the 7th, Brady Satinover (’25) jammed a walkoff single to left, leading to boisterous celebrations erupting beyond the basepath moments after. Satinover reflects on this moment and what kind of spark it brought to the dugout.
“It was a signature moment for our team to get a big win against them as we hadn’t had one all year,” Satinover said.
“Eddie pitched a fantastic game and gave us the opportunity to go win it which provided us with a strong winning mentality heading into the Culver City series. It also strengthened our team bond
further and we’re fired up to go win it.”
On Tuesday, April 29, Samo managed a 4-1 away win over Culver City thanks to a clutch two run triple from senior Blue Hunter (’25) in the top of the 7th. The victory handed Culver their first league loss of the season and dropped them to second place in Ocean League as the Vikings overtook their top spot. Head coach Jordan Sigman reflects on this late-season uptick in form.
“The way that we’ve been playing baseball at the right time late in the season is huge,” Sigman said. “walking off Loyola on Friday, winning a close tight game on Tuesday then coming back and walking off right here, we’re playing our best baseball at the right time - hopefully we can keep it going.”
With a plethora of graduating seniors leading the way this season, the next wave of talent has been up to the task of preparing for larger involvement next spring. Juniors Aaron Heirigs (’26) and Kaveh Naini (’26) lead the team with 16 runs batted in (RBI’s), while sophomore Ricky Myers (’27) is leading the squad with a staggering .450 batting average (BA) across his nine games in Ocean League.
Senior Eddie Jennings (’25) had a standout season on the mound, with his 0.59 earned run average (ERA) and 52 strikeouts ranking 7th and 12th in the Southern Section respectively. Gavin Girtley (’25) displayed remarkable versatility this season, posting a .333 batting average and 12
RBI’s at the plate along with a 1.16 ERA in 36 innings pitched. Satinover stole an impressive 26 bases from the leadoff spot, while Jackson Myrow (’25) paired a team leading two home runs with .429 BA. Isaac Liberman (’25) was the Vikings standout performer this season. Along with a .424 BA, Liberman led the team with 25 hits, eight extra base hits and hit his first career home run against Simi Valley.
The Vikings are well positioned for another deep CIF run in mid-May, and host their final home game of the regular season against Leuzinger on Monday, May 5. Hunter highlights the team’s growth across a successful season.
“The season has been great, the team has really come together these last few games,” Hunter said. “We’re playing the baseball we always knew we could play, but the job isn’t finished!”
Coach Sigman provides his expectations for CIF following Thursday’s win over Culver City.
“No matter what these guys play hard, they leave everything on the field and I couldn’t ask more of them,” Sigman said. “Last year’s experience should launch this team to be able to handle all the pressure of the playoff baseball atmosphere. Our expectation is to win CIF, and I think our seniors would be disappointed if it’s anything less than that.”
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Softball sets sights on CIF’s after winning the Bay League
Alisa Ignatenko Staff Writer
The Samo softball team ended their ‘24-’25 season with strong teamwork, perseverance and victory. They finished their regular season first in the Bay League with a 11-0 record and an overall record of 16-5. Compared to last season’s overall record of 16-12-1, this was an overall improvement for the Vikings.
The girls’ softball team started their season on Feb. 19 with a game against Palos Verdes High School, laying the foundation for a season filled with perseverance and growth. Despite the initial rough start of losing their first two games, the Vikings were able to bounce back with two winning streaks of 6 and 11. Throughout the spring, the team came through with several victories. Especially
against Beverly Hills High School and Centennial High School with scores of 23-0 and 18-1, respecitvely.
The season also marked the final games for seniors Talia Yermian (’25), Drew Vudmaska (’25) and Ava Armendariz (’25), who all played a crucial part in the teams success. Each brought talent and leadership to the team. Coach Forester praises Vudmaska’s drive and attitude.
“She’s got the best attitude, the best work ethic, it’s really nice to just know she’s going out there and she’s gonna make it happen…she’s risen to the occasion, even more than we thought she would,” Forester said.
Now sights are set on the CIF playoffs for the Samo softball team. The Vikings will play their first CIF playoff game on May 15 with momentum building up from their promising regular season.
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Samo boys’ lacrosse falls short in the CIF playoffs
Olivia Stephansen Social Media Manager
The Samo boys’ lacrosse team ended their season in the first round of the CIF Southern Section playoffs. The team wrapped up the regular season with an overall record of 11-6 and a Ocean League record of 4-1, tying for first place in the Ocean League.
Throughout the regular season, boys’ lacrosse demonstrated hunger, using teamwork to guide them to victory. Landslide wins for the Vikings include a home victory of 21-1 against Beverly Hills High School and a 17-2 victory against Culver City High School. The team’s success throughout the season propelled Samo into the playoffs, allowed them to advance into a higher rank before their loss in the quarterfinals.
Captain Bryce Schatzow (’27), shares his thoughts on how the team has improved this season and how, as a captain, he personally has helped lead the team.
“We developed our team chemistry and showed consistent growth throughout the year. Every player made prog-
ress in their individual roles and our collective lacrosse IQ grew noticeably. As a captain, I focused on fostering a positive and supportive environment even during challenging times like injuries, missed practicing/bad air quality during the wildfires, or tough losses. I made it a priority to keep the team connected and motivated, ensuring everyone felt valued and excited to be a part of the program,” Schatzow said.
Senior night against Beverly Hills celebrated seniors Jack Nash (’25), Nicholas Brownrigg (’25), Connor Lee (’25), Sevan Sawadogo (’25), Mateo Valecillos (’25), Steven Petramale (’25), HenryOwen Miyoshi-Grebler (’25), Deacon Recsnik (’25) and Ozgood Hawkins (’25). They ended their playoff season in the first round, falling to Trabuco Hills High School with a score of 10-12, after starting with a 4-0 lead. Even though the season is over, the team is constantly looking for ways to improve and grow.
“Looking ahead, it’s important that we continue momentum by staying active, training and playing over the summer,” Schatzow said.
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19 Samo swimmers qualify for the CIF
The Samo swim team wrapped up a competitive 2025 regular season following their last regular meet on April 24. Highlighted by strong performances across both the boys’ and girls’ varsity teams, 19 swimmers qualified for the CIF Southern Section Division II playoffs in both individual and relay events. Following a momentous victory on Feb. 26 against Venice High School and Cleveland High School, the girls’ team also beat Palos Verdes High School and Peninsula High School on March 12, and West Torrance High School on March 20. The boys’ team however suffered narrow losses of 87-83 on both days. Both teams beat El Segundo High School on March 27, but lost to Mira Costa High School on April 3. They rebounded to beat Redondo Union High School on April 24. Jackson Colby (’25), captain of the boys’ team, reflected on the season so far. “I would say the season has been pretty
good, with a lot of people improving their times,” Colby said. “Everyone’s gotten faster and we hope to get as many people through to CIF as possible.”
At the Bay League Championships held on April 30 and May 1, girls’ varsity finished third, while boys’ varsity finished fifth overall. Numerous swimmers finished top in their races, including Gabriella Brito (‘28), who broke the school and league records for the girls 200 IM and 50 Free. Daniela Petran (’25) also finished first in the girls 100 Breaststroke and second in girls 200 Free, while other swimmers did well including the likes of Paloma Kimura (‘28), Zephyr Fehmers (‘26), Franklin Thomas (‘27), Lexi Burrell (‘27) and Sloane Bryant (‘26).
Head Coach Matthew Flanders reflected on the Bay League championships.
“We did well today, and it was a pretty good meet for us,” Flanders said. “Gabi Brito, Daniela Petran and Zephyr Fehmers really did well for us. Gabi and Daniela set records too.”
The swim season was marked with many
other school records, with Petran breaking the 200 Free, 100 Free and 100 Breastroke school records. The girls’ team also set new records for the 200 free, 400 free and the 200 medley relay.
“We had a pretty good season, beating a few teams like Redondo that we have never beaten before,” Flanders said. “ The girls have a great chance to place high this year [in CIF]. We are full of talent.”
19 swimmers qualified for the CIF playoffs in events including the girls’ 200 Medley Relay, 400 Freestyle Relay, 200 Freestyle Relay and boys 400 Freestyle Relay advancing to CIF. The CIF-SS Division II preliminaries will be held on May 5, with the CIF-SS Division II finals on May 9. If swimmers advance past these stages, CIF State Preliminaries and finals will be held on May 16 and May 17 in Fresno, California.
playoffs
As the team turns its focus to postseason competition, the success of this year’s regular season lays a strong foundation for the future of Samo swim.
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Eugene Naruse Staff Writer
Eddie Jennings (’25) pitches the ball on May 1 against Culver City High School.
David Hunzinger / Contributor
Samo swimmers dive into the water at a meet against El Segundo High School on March 27.
Eugene Naruse / The Samohi
[From left to right] Isabella Myers (’25), Drew Vudmaska (’25), Talia Yermian (’25), Ava Armendariz (’25), Rihana Sargent (’25), Avey Thompson (’25) and Deborah Amezquita (’25) pose for picture on senior night.
Layla Yermain / Contributor
Ozgood Hawkins (‘25) attacks with the ball in open space against Trabuco Hills High School.
David Hunzinger / Contributor