Students applying to colleges might wonder if there is anyone who knows exactly what it takes to be accepted into a college. Zorrane Abdeali, who was an undergraduate business administration student at University of California, Riverside, had the same question in mind when his younger brother, Komail, a political science major at Saddleback College, took his first steps transferring to...

When the coach calls your number, you have to be ready to perform, and Brandon Hunt did just that. In the biggest surprise of the afternoon, Hunt, a third string quarterback for the Santa Monica College football team, was called upon by the SMC football coaching staff to relieve current starter Jerry McConnico, who just last week helped lead the...

Nearly a year after it was approved by voters, Proposition 30, also known as the “Temporary Taxes to Fund Education” bill, is already helping keep California state schools with stable budgets. While states like Illinois and Texas are slashing school budgets, Prop. 30 is already serving as an example of how Californians are willing to give a little extra in...

Multitalented Amy "Catfox" Campion, B-girl, capoeirista, and dance filmmaker, led as many as 50 students in a vigorous and intense breakdancing workshop last Wednesday at Santa Monica College. Campion is the founder and artistic director of Antics Performance, a Los Angeles-based dance company that creates multimedia urban dance performances that incorporate various art forms, and offers residencies, workshops and dance...

After longstanding hesitation, Grace Singh Smith decided to try her hand at creative writing and, shortly after, one of her first fictional works was published. Smith currently works at Santa Monica College as the assistant to Randal Lawson, executive vice president, and to the office of academic affairs. She has a background in journalism, but had not been writing for...

New York Times bestselling author Victoria Patterson visited Santa Monica College last Tuesday to discuss her craft and new novel, "The Peerless Four." The packed event, which was sponsored by the Associated Students and the English department, treated students and instructors to a 90-minute discussion about sports, writing, winning and losing. The event featured Patterson reading an excerpt from her...

In and out of the water, the Santa Monica College men's water polo team sticks together. This year's team is solid with several sophomore members, many of whom grew up together swimming and competing in pools around Culver City and El Segundo. "Our team is like a family," said goalkeeper Oscar Galvan. "One guy goes to the bathroom, we all...

In just three days, Grand Theft Auto V almost made as much money as it has cost the United States government to shut down for a week. However, GTA V, which is critically acclaimed and an insanely lucrative game, is simply another piece of garbage entertainment. The wildly popular “cultural phenomenon” raked in more than $1 billion within the first...

The water was overflowing. There was graffiti on the walls and doors. Trash was spread across the stained floor as an appalling stench overtook the entire room. This is not an abandoned home, nor is it the scene of a horror movie. This is the setting of a bathroom at Santa Monica College. It feels like every year, as society...

It was Pacquiao versus Marquez. My aunt was drunk and Marquez had just lost. She was claiming that Marquez had gotten robbed, and a friend of our neighbor was telling her to stop complaining. Soon enough, fists were flying and my aunt was being restrained on the floor. That was just one act of violence between sports fans that I...