A Solid Foundation
Volume IX, Issue 4, August 28, 2023
As the new (academic) year unrolls, SMC in Focus presents a look at five stories that
showcase the inherent promise of Santa Monica College: if you dare to dream, we will
help you fulfill it. A fashion student creates, following in her mother’s footsteps.
Two students have the experience of a lifetime in Washington, D.C. A husband and wife
grow in love—and educational aspirations. An immigrant from Iran sings, beautifully
and freely. And we take a fond look at SMC’s highlights, and some throwbacks from
the past. May this year be as good as the ones that have gone before.
![Beauty of Batik](/news/in-focus/2023/vol-ix-issue-4/images/01-Channel-New-LEAD.jpg)
The Beauty of Batik
Channel Guice Thomas earned double awards in Santa Monica College’s 2023 LA Mode Fashion Show by using a centuries-old technique to create a vibrant collection.
![Capital Experience](/news/in-focus/2023/vol-ix-issue-4/images/02-Daniel-Mejia-and-Jarod-Lopez-LEAD.jpg)
Capital Experience
SMC students Jarod Lopez and Daniel Mejia earned fellowships enabling them to travel to Washington, D.C., for mentorship from global affairs officials.
![True Romance](/news/in-focus/2023/vol-ix-issue-4/images/03-The-Mitchells-LEAD.jpg)
True Romance
Taylor and Jeyde Mitchell’s love of education — and each other — deepened at Santa Monica College.
![Kamyar Vazir](/news/in-focus/2023/vol-ix-issue-4/images/04-Kamyar-headed-to-Columbia-LEAD.jpg)
An Iron Will to Sing
As a child growing up in Tehran, Kam Vazir always felt like a misfit. He found refuge in the arts. Fast forward a dozen years—he no longer feels like a misfit, and sings with confidence.
![Bragging Rights](/news/in-focus/2023/vol-ix-issue-4/images/05-Lauren-Movius-Stanford-EPIC-Community-College-Faculty-Fellow-LEAD.png)
Bragging Rights
A Comms & Media Studies prof is a Stanford EPIC Community College Faculty fellow. Two music profs perform at Walt Disney Concert Hall. A Biological Sciences professor’s love for the world’s rarest butterfly lands a front-page LA Times feature.
![Memory Lane](/news/in-focus/2023/vol-ix-issue-4/images/06-LEAD-SMCs-War-Time-Graduating-Class-1946.png)
A Walk Down (SMC’s) Memory Lane
In 1929, Wall Street Crashed, MoMA was founded, and in Santa Monica, Calif. “Santa Monica Junior College” was born. Here’s a look back at this past year’s highlights, and some corresponding throwbacks from Santa Monica College’s long, storied past.