The Corsair

The Corsair The Santa Monica College newspaper since 1929. The Corsair is a student newspaper. HQ is The Newsroom in the Letters & Science building.

It's written, edited, designed, and photographed by journalism and photography students. The print paper is published once a week and is available in news stands throughout the campus on Wednesday mornings. The online newspaper is at thecorsaironline.com. The paper covers news, arts & entertainment, opinion, health & life, and sports. If you're a student at SMC, it's your paper.

12/20/2025

As the fall semester ends we thought it’d be fun to look back on our first Corsair Corner of the semester and see how everyone’s goals shook out. Let us know how this semester went for you all now that it’s wrapping up!

Video by: Jeffrey Berrios ()
Edited by: Rafael Lopez ()

Upon entering the room, the space was dark with the spotlight shining down on the mariachi band front and center. The ev...
12/14/2025

Upon entering the room, the space was dark with the spotlight shining down on the mariachi band front and center. The event was no ordinary musical showcase — it became something more with each performance. One song featured on the band’s set list was “Si tu también te vas,” written by Mexican mariachi legend José Alfredo Jiménez.

It was a warm Thursday morning as friends, family and fellow students filled the seats. Small moments — like a member of the mariachi extending a microphone to the audience to sing the next line of a song and invitations to cheer the band on — cultivated a sacred and safe space.

Click the link in the bio to read The Corsair’s coverage of the recent performance of Mariachi Los Corsarios at the Eyde Second Space!

Written by Christine Xolotl Muñoz |
Photos by Nathan Hanson |

Numerous residents along the lane adorned their homes with Christmas lights and reindeer lawn ornaments, welcoming neigh...
12/14/2025

Numerous residents along the lane adorned their homes with Christmas lights and reindeer lawn ornaments, welcoming neighbors in for holiday parties and festivities.

Some displayed lawn signs with messages of community, stating, “Altedena Strong,” while others displayed “Altedena not for sale,” reflecting a decision many in the community are facing.

“Altadena not for sale” is a rallying cry for those in the community and victims of the fire, encouraging community members not to sell their homes and for Los Angeles to block corporations from buying up properties, to keep the tight-knit community, culture and values of Altadena alive. According to the “Altadena not for sale” mission statement, their goal is “to help the under- and non-insured be able to stay where they are after the devastating Eaton Fire and not fall prey to predatory land speculators, and to keep the community whole through education, advocacy and empowerment.”

According to the Decennial Census, Around 75% of Altadena’s African American population own their homes, almost double the national average. Nearly 48% of these homes were burned in the fire, according to the UCLA Center for Neighborhood Knowledge, increasing community fears over the impact on both the demographics and culture of the community.

Click the link in the bio to read The Corsair’s’ coverage of the Christmas tree celebration in Altadena, one year after the Eaton Fires.

Written and photographed by Jake Crandall |

12/11/2025

On Wednesday, Dec. 3, SMC students performed pieces they learned over the semester at the Dance Department’s Open House. The dances include tap, Mexican Folklorico, hip-hop, ballet, jazz, and contemporary modern dance.

Video by: Fai Fong (.inawell), Jenna Tibby (), & Rafael Lopez ()

The Corsair Volume 128 | Fall Issue 6 is live! Click the link in the bio to read the full issue! Front Cover: Jake Crand...
12/10/2025

The Corsair Volume 128 | Fall Issue 6 is live! Click the link in the bio to read the full issue!

Front Cover: Jake Crandall |

Giving Thanksgiving, Day One: ‘A Huge Success’ by Kayjel J. Mairena | .m
Photos by Kayjel J. Mairena

A Hopeful Light After the Eaton Fire by Jake Crandall
Photos by Jake Crandall

The Corsairs Eliminated from Playoffs in Thrilling Penalty Shootout by Dillon Stafford | .s
Photos by Tom Rosholt and Jordi Garcia Sosa | , .g__

Last CicLAvia Ride of 2025 by Nastassia Melendez |
Photos by Elizabeth Bacher, Jake Crandall and Danny Sanchez |

Betsey Johnson Brings Her Whimsey to SMC by Kyla Downey |
Photos by Gregory Hawthorne and Nathan Hanson | .gregory,

A Look Back at 2025 Dodger Season by Rafael Lopez |
Graphics by Jenna Tibby |

Back Cover by Jake Crandall

Although “Perestroika” was written in 1992, its message feels deeply relevant today. As Harrop put it, “It relates to wh...
12/09/2025

Although “Perestroika” was written in 1992, its message feels deeply relevant today. As Harrop put it, “It relates to where Russia is today. It’s very topical, even though it was written in 1992.”

The play’s exploration of political upheaval, identity, and transformation mirrors many of the conflicts and conversations happening around the world now.

Click the link in the bio to read The Corsair’s’ coverage on the play Angels in America, Part Two: Perestroika!

Written by Nastassia Melendez |
Photos by Gregory Hawthorne | .gregory

12/04/2025

Gina Bigham approaches the reading of the names at the annual Trans Day of Remembrance (TDOR) by telling the story of how the person lived, not just their death. She researches their past and collects as many stories as possible, working to honor and humanize each individual, preventing them from becoming just another name on a list.

“These people are more than just a name, you know, and it’s not a perfunctory thing. It’s important to recognize that they lived. They lived authentically, and they lived their truth,” Bigham said.

The LA LGBT Center held its annual Trans Day of Remembrance ceremony, honoring victims of anti-transgender violence.

Click the link in our bio to read the article.

Video and Article by: Jenna Tibby () and Carlos Perez ()

11/26/2025

SMC is hosting a “Transferpalooza” this week to help students finish their transfer applications and essays. The deadline for the UC and CalState applications is December 1st at 11:59 pm. Students needing support can go to the student services center today, Wednesday, Nov. 26, from 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. There is also a virtual application review on Saturday, Nov. 29 from 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Corsair reporters Kollin Zullo and Neal Hebrard-DeFrance stopped by to learn more!

Video by: Jordy Emanuel Mar (), Kollin Zullo () and Neal Hebrard-DeFrance (.phd)

Edited by: Rafael Lopez ()

The foundation intends to raise $250,000 before the end of the event on Tuesday, Nov. 25, at 7 p.m. “We’re at right arou...
11/26/2025

The foundation intends to raise $250,000 before the end of the event on Tuesday, Nov. 25, at 7 p.m. “We’re at right around $245,000,” said Foundation President Dr. Lizzy Moore.

Moore started “Giving Thanksgiving” in her backyard with Wendi DeMorst, the associate dean of student instructional support, in 2017. According to Moore, they originally intended to feed people with nowhere to go for the holiday, but during the pandemic, they pivoted and established a food drive.

Click the link in the bio to read The Corsair’s’ coverage of the ninth annual Giving Thanksgiving event at SMC!

Written and photographed by Kayjel J. Mairena | .m

11/25/2025

SMC is hosting their annual Giving Thanksgiving this week! Students can still get free Thanksgiving groceries today, Tuesday Nov. 25, outside of the bodega on main campus from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., all that is your student ID number. The program is also handing out $50 gift vouchers for Albertsons brand grocery stores as well as free socks and coats.

This is the 9th year of the event for SMC, put on by the SMC Foundation, and is open to all students regardless of financial status. Students can find fresh vegetables, canned goods, milk, eggs, pumpkin pie, and more. Corsair reporter Jenna Tibby stopped by on the first day of the event to learn more about it!

Video by: Jenna Tibby () and Tim Sim

Santa Monica residents have been dealing with heavy rainfall since last Friday, Nov. 14. The storm system prompted the N...
11/21/2025

Santa Monica residents have been dealing with heavy rainfall since last Friday, Nov. 14. The storm system prompted the National Weather Service to issue a flash flood warning for southwest Los Angeles County last Saturday. By Tuesday, Nov. 18, the multiple storms brought 3.48 inches of rain to downtown Los Angeles and 1.18 inches to Santa Monica, making this month the wettest November in 55 years.

The National Weather Service (NWS) forecasts the current storm will continue through Friday. Residents will finally get a break from a week of rain as NWS predicts a dry weekend and a rainless Thanksgiving week.

Click the link in the bio to read more about The Corsair’s’ coverage on all of the latest weather updates affecting the SMC community!

Photo story by Fai Fong | .inawell

The Corsair Volume 128 | Fall Issue 5 is Now Live!Click the Link in the Bio to Read the Full Issue!Front Cover by Jake C...
11/19/2025

The Corsair Volume 128 | Fall Issue 5 is Now Live!
Click the Link in the Bio to Read the Full Issue!

Front Cover by Jake Crandall |

Veterans Day at Santa Monica Pier by Kayjel J. Mairena | .m
Photos by Kayjel J. Mairena

SMC’s Championship Dreams Collapse at the Bowl Game by Kayjel J. Mairena
Photos by Jake Crandall

Corsairs Crush: Women’s Soccer Team Headed to Playoffs After 3-0 Victory by Patrick Conlon |
Photos by Danny Sanchez

Second Game, Take Them Down! by Ciara Burris |
Photos by Masie Najafi | .masie

Learning and Inspiration Through Vintage Fashion by By Nastassia Melendez |
Photos by Elizabeth Bacher |

The TUNEabomber, an Explosive Musical Comedy by Kayjel J. Mairena
Photos by Kayjel J. Mairena

From Oslo to Los Angeles: SMC Alum Andrea Gylthe’s Creative Journey by Katie Easterson |
Photos by Gregory Hawthorne | .gregory

From For You Page to Grammy Stage: The TikTok Generation Takes Over by Sofia Kieser | .kieser
Graphics by Jenna Tibby |

Back Cover by Elizabeth Bacher

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The Corsair is a student newspaper. It's written, edited, designed, and photographed by SMC journalism and photography students. Headquarters are in our Newsroom at room 130 of the new Center for Media and Design Campus. The print paper is published bi-weekly and is available in news stands throughout the campus on Wednesday mornings. The online newspaper is updated daily at thecorsaironline.com. Our paper sections cover news, culture, opinion, arts & entertainment, and sports. If you're a student at SMC, it's your paper.