Rare Endurance, Rare Journeys
Volume VIII, Issue 4, August 30, 2022
It is a hallmark of SMC students—the ability to endure, to take what life throws at
them, and turn it into something beautiful. SMC in Focus’s July-August issue celebrates several students who have demonstrated this quality,
plus those who found their journeys here and are shining, and a program-in-the-works
that showcases how Santa Monica College meets the needs of local industry, while making
sure equity remains the focus. Enjoy.
![Melody Hellard](/news/in-focus/2022/vol-viii-issue-4/Images/01-Melody-Hellard-LEAD.jpg)
Perfect Fit
Melody Hellard applies her design skills honed at SMC to help keep Mattel’s iconic dolls at the height of fashion. Despite dyslexia, she built a creative pathway, beginning at age eight.
![Leisha Smith](/news/in-focus/2022/vol-viii-issue-4/Images/02-Leisha-Smith-LEAD.jpg)
Accounting for Her Summer Adventure
The last thing Leisha Smith expected to feel at an accounting leadership conference, was mist in her eyes. But this 20-year old SMC student from South LA did find herself “kind of emotional.”
![King Burgess](/news/in-focus/2022/vol-viii-issue-4/Images/03-King-Burgess-LEAD.jpg)
Rewriting His Life
After years of incarceration, King Burgess turned to Santa Monica College for a fresh start, enabling him to expand his storytelling artistry from the written word to visual media.
![Sofia Ratcovich](/news/in-focus/2022/vol-viii-issue-4/Images/04-Sofia-Ratcovich-LEAD.jpg)
Waste Not
SMC alum Sofia Ratcovich uses her entrepreneurial savvy and passion for environmental sustainability to help businesses cut down on trash and food waste.
![Ernie Gonzalez](/news/in-focus/2022/vol-viii-issue-4/Images/05-Ernie-Gonzalez-LEAD.jpg)
Bragging Rights
A music prof. sings in Greek and German at Disney World. A Theatre Arts prof. gets rave reviews. A retiree wins walking shoes for herself—and her friends.
![Dr. Andria Denmon and Dr. Tom Chen](/news/in-focus/2022/vol-viii-issue-4/Images/06-Andria-Denmon-and-Tom-Chen-LEAD.jpg)
Riding the Biotech Wave
Biology professors Dr. Andria Denmon and Dr. Tom Chen are helping SMC develop a new biotechnology major that is equity-focused and meets the needs of a booming industry.
SMC In the News
Moviemaker Names SMC Among Top 40 Film Schools
SMC & AltaSea Ready to Dive In
SMC Fights Food Insecurity with Bodega
Celebrating Student Success: a Graduation Special
SMC Students & Alum Selected for Station 1 Frontiers Fellowship
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