Monday,The june 7, 2021 Santa Samohi Monica High School Volume CIX • Issue VIII SENIOR Issue Is Greek life worth it? Page 4 Samo’s college future: mapped out Pages 6, 7 CIF Update Page 8 A letter from the editors Page 10 Find us on social media: Instagram: @thesamohinews Twitter: @thesamohi Front page by Sam Kohn Spotify: “Samo Unmuted” © Martin Ledford The Samohi 02 June 7, 2021 News Samo honors outstanding seniors in award ceremony of excellence, is given to those who set forth letics. It went to Caitlin Durkin (’21), who spoke the highest qualities of leadership in both their out against child marriage and helped pass a bill school and community. Lilly Chertock (’21) was making it illegal to marry before 18 years of age. awarded with it this year. In her four years in JSA, Many students were also honored for their Chertock won five Best Speaker gavels, served as achievements in foreign languages, earning the chapter president twice, and went on to serve as California State Seal of Biliteracy. Students won governor of the southern California region. She this award by demonstrating a high level of pro- was also a leader on Samo’s mock trial team for ficiency in speaking, reading and writing in one three years, earning the Most Valuable Partici- or more languages in addition to English. To do pant distinction on three separate occasions and so, students typically have to pass a foreign lan- was very involved in environmental advocacy. guage AP exam with a score of at least three or The Sylvia Russo Peace Award is given to the pass an International Baccalaureate (IB) exam student who displayed their commitment to with a score of four or higher. Spanish was the peacemaking by raising consciousness about in- most common amongst Samo students, though Photo from Principal Antonio Shelton Twitter equality and justice, promoting nonviolent solu- French and Japanese were also present. tions to problems, and building bridges across Teachers also received awards at the ceremony. Samo seniors gathered at the Greeks for the senior award ceremony on May 26, 2021; led by teach- diverse groups. It went to Madison Camp-Lane The Conald Trophy Award recognizes excellence ers and administrators. outstanding female athlete who also excels in ac- (’21), president of the Black Student Union, who in teaching by the teachers of Samo who give Megan Suchet advocated against police brutality and spear- their time and best teaching skills to educate Copy Editor ademics and service. This year, it was awarded to the track captain, Sofia Perfetti (’21). headed the youth movement for Breonna Taylor, Samo youth. To be eligible, teachers must have Samo seniors gathered for the first time in Several awards commemorated students’ ser- over a year for the annual Senior Award on May vice, the first of which was the Stan Singleton 26. The Ceremony, hosted virtually last year on Boy’s Service Award. This award, given to boys YouTube and pre-pandemic in Barnum Hall, for their impressive service to Samo, is in hon- was held this year in the Greek with only Samo or of Stan Singleton (‘66) who inspired his team staff and senior students while friends and fam- with poetry, was active in The National Confer- ily tuned in via a streaming link. Sixty valedic- ence for Community and Justice (NCCJ), and torian candidates were honored with individual was an ambassador of racial harmony. It went to recognition and sunflowers for their academic Roger Gawne (’21) and Jorge Ontiveros Gonza- achievements during the ceremony, almost dou- lez (’21) for their active involvement in several ble the number of candidates in previous years clubs and outside programs that advocated for which typically ranges from 20-30 students. social and political justice and equality. The valedictorian is the highest ranking stu- Similar to the Stan Singleton Boy’s Service dent in the graduating class based upon the Award, the Artis Bonanza Girl’s Service Award highest grade point average while salutatorian is is given to young women who exhibit excellent the second highest ranking student in the class. examples of service during their time at Samo. It The valedictorian and salutatorian for the class went to Susana Nuñez (’21) and Victoria Taylor of 2021 will be announced and recognized at the (’21), both of whom strove to eradicate the stig- graduation ceremonies. ma surrounding mental illness through their Photo from Principal Antonio Shelton Twitter The first award was the Norm Lacy Athletic participation and leadership in several clubs and Teachers distributing sunflowers to the 60 valedictorian and salutatorian candidates at the 2021 senior Award, given to the best male and female athlete off-campus programs. award ceremony. of the year. Its namesake, Norm Lacy, inspired Continuing with service awards, the Porter young students both on and off the field for over I Leach Leadership Award is given to students as well as Melisa Ramirez Hernandez (’21), an taught at Samo for more than 10 years and have 20 years as a PE instructor and athletic director, deemed outstanding by the time and energy they active member of the Human Rights Watch and not been previously honored. Nominees are then as well as the football, wrestling, and golf coach have given to Samo. Porter Leach was the Vice founder of the Menstrual Rights club. chosen by seniors. This year, the Conald Trophy at Samo. The recipients of this award were Rayna Principle and retired in 1976 after serving Samo Finally, the Addison Barnett Award is given to Award recipients were Stephanie Dew and Carl Prasad (’21) and Cormac Flanders (’21). many years. This year the award went to ASB students who are exceptional in academics, ath- Hobkirk, both of whom will be retiring this year Next, the Lauren D. Switzenberg Memorial president Mateo Marquez (’21), a member of the letics, citizenship, and service. This year, it went after over two decades of service in SMMUSD. Athletic Award recognizes outstanding achieve- orchestra, choral and musical theatre programs to Ryan Kashanchi (’21) and Joseph Ricciardulli Despite the loss of many senior traditions due ment in athletics, citizenship, and scholarship. at Samo. (’21) was runner up. In focusing on contribu- to the pandemic, the students in the class of 2021 The award went to Tanner Clark (’21), a two In addition, the George Drake Leadership tions by senior girls, the Ethel Robinson Award were able to be honored and recognized for their sport varsity student athlete on the volleyball and Award, named after Principal George Drake is given to a female student who excels in schol- achievements in the Senior Award Ceremony. basketball teams. who encouraged students to reach high stands arship, citizenship, and social activities and ath- The May Sutton Bundy Award is given to an [email protected] Senior activities: music, sunsets and villains Jadyn Miyahira took the win and went home with ing this year. I’m just curious to see Staff Writer a $300 Amazon gift card. what it’s like and to see my friends “I thought the [Murder Mystery one last time before we go our sep- Every year, Samo administration Scavenger Hunt] was actually pret- arate ways,” Kielor Tung (’21) said. hosts a number of events for the se- ty fun and a great way to spend one Tickets are $65 (for those who nior class to honor their hard work of our last moments as a senior are not recipients of free or re- and bring them together for the class,” Frederia Fluker (’21) said. duced lunch) and students will last time before graduation. These The next multi-day event, the be required to either be vacci- festivities usually include a series Last Blast Together, occurred nated or show a negative test for of get-togethers, however this year, during lunch on the baseball field COVID-19. Prior to admission, events were planned more me- from June 1 to June 4. Seniors were students and their guardians need thodically due to the pandemic. welcomed to come eat lunch to- to fill out a permission form ac- While there are still restrictions in gether and a DJ was invited to play knowledging the health and safety place, Samo students, parents and music in order to stimulate the fes- risks of attendance. Participants administration were able to work tivities. will need to bring a mask and around these obstacles and make Students sat on the grass and practice social distancing. Because the best of the weeks approaching brought their yearbooks for sign- the venue will be at Samo, some graduation. A total of four events ing. While there wasn’t a specified students think that the price was a were planned: a Murder Mystery activity for the students to partake little high, however they are thank- Scavenger Hunt, a Last Blast To- in, the Last Blast Together enabled ful that safety protocols will be in gether event, Prom and finally a them to spend more time together place. dual event, Grad Nite and Senior as a class before graduation. “For the most part, [Samo] did Sunset. “It had an overall chill vibe. It was a good job waiting for the safest The Murder Mystery Scavenger a great time to catch up with some possible point to do [prom],” Anya Hunt was held at the Third Street friends and get your yearbook Bardach (’21) said. Promenade on May 27 after school. Art by SMMUSD signed,” Nicole Kuri (’21) said. At the celebration, there will be Samo seniors were to establish and Senior Sunset, will be on June gether as a class. Students are en- The third event, Prom, will be food, music and dancing.