In high school, she was teased for her dandruff and breakouts. Today, Mabelynn Capeluj is Miss California USA 2013 and the ambassador for the Walk to Cure Psoriasis in Los Angeles. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, psoriasis is a noncontagious, autoimmune disease that appears on the skin. It is a genetic disorder that speeds up the growth cycle of...

As a child, she was embarrassed when her father composted. Today, she composts in her own backyard. Vicki Drake, chair of the earth science department at Santa Monica College, received the annual EcoHero Award for her work in developing and expanding the sustainable technologies program. "I don't feel like a hero," Drake said after accepting her award at the event....

Santa Monica College's annual Health Fair provided students with information on what to do and where to go to protect their health. This year's Health Fair, which was sponsored by the Associated Students and the SMC Health Services, took place last Tuesday on SMC's main campus and hosted several representatives from health care resources and providers. Many of the representatives...

Taynara Moura, one of the four Associated Students presidential candidates, hopes that her experience, specificity, and commitment will gain her the lead during next week's election. Moura studies political science at Santa Monica College, has experience as an SMC ambassador, and has already been gathering experience with the AS as commissioner of student advocacy and financial support.“It's not something I'm...

The Santa Monica College Police Department will host a new self-defense workshop against sexual aggression at SMC that will teach women how to defend themselves against attackers. The workshop, called the Rape Aggression Defense Program, lasts 12 sessions and educates women about the risk reduction of rape and attack prevention, in addition to providing them with self-defense techniques, as stated...

On Monday evening, Santa Monica College students attended a panel discussion about the movement against poverty. Approximately 30 students joined Green Party vice president nominee Cheri Honkala, activists Niki Okuk and Daniel Lee, and Matt Sedillo, a two-time national slam poet and author of "For What I Might Do Tomorrow." Parker Jean, Associated Students president and host of the discussion,...

On the brink of confirming Associated Student election candidates for next semester, there has been recent confusion about the role the 2013 election code plays in relationship to the AS constitution. A discrepancy in the language between the election code and the constitution left a student's right to run for AS presidency disputable. As Santa Monica College student Noke Taumalolo...

Supplemental to the existing film studies program, Santa Monica College is planning to give students the opportunity to earn a certificate and an associate degree in film production, in addition to learning the craft of screenwriting and filmmaking. Although practical film classes have been provided before at the college, the faculty is working on a new program, according to SMC...

Green glitter garlands, leprechauns and shamrocks can only mean one thing. It is St. Patrick's Day. But the origins and true meaning of the holiday can be fuzzy, at best. "Isn't it Irish?" asks Santa Monica College student Tamara Alessa. "I think it's about leprechauns, clovers, pot of gold, rainbows, and good luck." While St. Patrick's Day was originally only...

Carrying signs that proclaimed monetary woes and education reform, thousands of college students convened on the State Capitol steps Monday morning to conclude this year’s March in March protest. Members of Santa Monica College’s Associated Students joined the March to Advocate and Reclaim California's Higher Education, from Raley Field to the Capitol building, where students from all levels of California’s...