SMMUSD Explores the use of AI in classrooms
Since fall of 2024, Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) has sought to gradually implement Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the classroom in order to leverage its efficiency in a responsible way.
Our collective nostalgia for 2016
In 2026, students have been looking to carry trends with them from a decade ago into the new year. Skinny jeans, chokers, and ballet flats are all included in this 2016 revival. Beyond fashion trends, mindsets like “millenial optimism” and anti-cringe culture are also making a comeback. This phenomenon can be heavily seen on the Samo campus, with students revisiting their childhood nostalgia.
Girls’ lacrosse introduces new JV sector
Last year, Samo girls’ lacrosse ended their ’24-’25 season with an overall record of 6-13 and a 0-2 league record. This season, the team has high hopes of making it to CIF with their hard work and dedication.
Cafe samo serenades listeners
On Jan. 30 and 31, the Humanities Center at Santa Monica High School was transformed into the student-led choir event, Cafe Samo. The Humanities center showcased a variety of live music, broadcasting the range of talent within Samo’s choir program.
The public stage comes with public opinions
For thousands of years people have been influenced by political, religious, intellectual and cultural figures. Today, through social media and ways for global connection, influence is more immediate and powerful than ever before. A single post can reach millions within the span of minutes. In this climate, influence cannot be passive.
Declining Enrollment and Debt Leads to Layoffs at SMC
On February 3, Santa Monica College (SMC) board of trustees voted to approve laying off 57 classified employees. Classified employees are the lowest paid categories of employees at SMC, with the lowest in this group earning 50,000 dollars annually. Additionally, 9.5 [decimals equate to non-full time employees] vacant classified employee positions are set to be terminated. Furthermore, 3.8 managers and administrators are being laid off and four vacant management positions are being terminated.
Melania Trump and her 15 seconds of fame
About a year and a half ago, when the now First Lady was trending on social media as an icon who hated her husband instead of a supporter contributing to the hateful presidency, Muse Films decided to document Melania Trump’s day-to-day life in the few weeks leading up to the inauguration.
Orchestra holds annual gala
Samo’s orchestra held their annual Spaghetti & Strings gala in the cafeteria on Feb. 7 from 5:30 till 9 p.m. to raise funds for the students’ South Korea tour this March. The event started with an auction where attendees bid on a variety of items from gift cards to weekend retreats while the Chamber Orchestra played background music.
Darrick Jacob appointed chief after 21 years of service
On Jan. 14, Darrick Jacob was sworn in as Santa Monica’s new police chief after serving as interim chief since Roman Batista stepped down from the job in October. Jacob has been working with the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) since 2004 and is stepping into the permanent role while the department is still navigating staffing challenges, evolving public safety priorities and ongoing community scrutiny.
Samo swim team starts the season strong with meet wins
Samo’s swim team kicked off their season after their Intrasquad Meet on Feb. 20, setting the tone for a competitive spring campaign. The early race allowed swimmers to establish baseline times and evaluate relays before facing outside competition. The team won their first meet against Venice High School and Cleveland High School on Feb. 25.
The distasteful trade-off of classic books
The vast majority of books deemed “classics” by literary critics are plagued with subtle to blatant racism. While these works usually contain sophisticated and near-revolutionary writing, it is morally wrong to excuse, justify or ignore comments made or stereotypes reinforced by authors. I have never been one to argue against reading, and that’s not what I’m doing. Plenty of older books have real value in reading, even if they are shadowed by judgements that add no quality to the writing. What is inexcusable, though, is to pretend that older works don’t sell blatant offenses to their audience. Books should be read critically, no matter how they’re regarded by historians or litterateurs.
Strong finish, stronger future for Samo wrestling
Isabella Hillier / Contributor
Scott Limon (’28) pins a Redondo High School opponent during a home match.
Strong finish, stronger future for Samo wrestling
Samo Girls’ beach volleyball team began their season on Feb. 10 with a game against Santa Barbara, with a score of 0-5. After finishing their ’24-’25 season, 2-4, the team is trying to put a new emphasis on growth.
A Madlibs from Over the Rainbow
On a (adjective) March 17, you wake up on your (furniture) because you feel something (verb ending in ing) your arm.
You look, and see it’s a leprechaun that has a (color) (facial hair) and (color) apparel. In his hand you can see a (type of metal).
.
Boys’ Lacrosse projects to have a strong season
The Samo boys’ lacrosse team looks forward to another season after putting months of work in to prepare.
Boys’ Basketball concludes with first round cif loss
This season, Samo boys’ basketball had high
hopes out of the gate, having prepared exten-
sively, bonding as a team and building skills.
Boys’ basketball started their pre-season games
hot on the court. The Vikings first game of the
season was on Nov. 17 against Los Angeles High
School which resulted in a 77-31 win, start-
ing the momentum for an eight game winning
streak, dominating their competition right out
of the gate.
School Threats: how samo responds (Copy)
The Samo girls’ water polo team ended their season in the first round of CIF, with a final overall season score of 19-10-0. They lost against Chaparral with the match ending in a score of 6-7, they ranked 70 overall in California, of which they moved up 33 places from their state ranking last season.
California Gives $90 Million to Planned Parenthood
Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill (SB) 106 on Feb. 11, which amended California’s Budget Act of 2025. SB 106 gave roughly $140 million to California’s Department of Healthcare Access and Information, with the money to be spent on the health care workforce, health care quality and affordability and facilities development. $90 million of this was provided to Planned Parenthood, a sexual and reproductive health care nonprofit organization, given in the form of grants.
Girls’ soccer ends after a momentous season
The Samo girls’ soccer team ended their season on Feb. 14 after falling short in round two of California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Division 3 against Flintridge Prep, with a final score of 1-4. The Samo girls’ soccer team played their first CIF game on Feb. 12 against Oak Hills High School. They won with a close score of 1-0, which moved them into the second round of the playoffs.
The overconsumption of ozempic and media’s exploitation of the “Ideal Body”
Recently in media skeletal frames and protruding collar bones are being used to promote a new era of fitness culture, disguising blatant starvation as wellness. Debloating tips, low calorie recipes and “what I eat in a day”’s followed by glaring body checks plaster the internet, normalizing the idea that sickly skinny bodies are, in actuality, healthy ones. Having public figures become noticeably thinner will of course directly influence the public, causing the trend of extreme weight loss to reenter the mainstream. With the rate at which trend cycles come and go these days, the desire to speed up the weight loss process is at an all time high, leading to an intense push of weight loss drugs into advertising.