California Juror find Michael Jackson Not guilty on all 10 counts.

During a series of emotional reunions, classified and community members as well as students respectively gathered at Santa Monica College's faculty on May 24th. Everyone from professors to students poured their hope into the search of a new president, who could jump-start the trust and communication that has been weakened by a decade of frustration and misunderstanding.

As the celebration of Asian / Pacific Islander month continues with shows, performance and lectures, on June 2, "Manzanar: An American Story," premieres in Los Angeles at UCLA's Royce Hall, part of UCLA Live!

An evening of student films will be presented on Friday, June 10, at Santa Monica College. Presented by the Student Filmmakers Association, the event will be an opportunity for film students to present their work to a large and diverse audience.

This semester at Santa Monica College, students have become active in politics and have exercised their free speech rights regularly, and some would say without restraint. At major SMC events, from Club Row to "Career Island," the First Amendment of the Constitution has become a popular tool for students and faculty to make sure that their voices are heard, despite criticism.

Webster's online give this definition for a thief, "One that steals especially stealthily or secretly; also: one who commits theft or larceny." I believe that one exists on campus. Earlier this semester I noticed the Music Department took a photo of mine and used it on an ad to promote their up-and-coming shows.

In politics the right to vote is king. Many people in the country take this right for granted, choosing not to vote and living outside of society in a radical stance of separation from the state. Believe it or not, persons within the prison population, except in two states, lose their right to vote completely.

Imagine swimming in coral barrier reefs with sharks, exotic fish, and other underwater sea creatures for 12 days in Tahiti. Well, it is extremely possible for one to fulfill that dream this summer by attending the "Natural History of the Marine Biology of Tahiti" with Santa Monica College Biology Professor Ed Tarvyd.

"Progress is man's ability to complicate simplicity" --Thor Heyerdahl

Films should inspire, motivate, excite, entice, entertain, educate and enrapture the viewer in a world that can sometimes only be imagined. From the compelling opening to the emotional ending, the "Star Wars" trilogy is amazing. There were wonderful over-the-top characters including Luke, Leia, Han and Chewbacca immersed in an utterly involving story.

The closing of the sports season at Santa Monica College saw awards being presented to a number of promising student athletes. Certainly, names like Masami Hashimoto, Efrem Lawrence and Chinedoz Foster - all superior players in their fields of women's tennis, basketball and track and field respectively - are now prime examples of the exceptional pedigree of athletes that the SMC sports system is able to churn out.

On Tuesday, June 14, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will deliver the commencement speech at Santa Monica College. I must say that I have a hard time justifying the invitation of this so-called "pro-education" Governor.

Illegal Immigration is a delicate subject that has managed to catch the attention of many. A recent Spanish-language news station KRCA, Channel 62 sparked some fury amongst natives against immigrants and immigrants against racism in deciding to post controversial new advertising billboards.

As the semester draws to a close, many Santa Monica College students are graduating, preparing to enter the workforce or continue on to four-year universities and colleges.

After what seemed to be a heated and controversial issue when last year's interim soccer Head Coach Patrick Seymour and his staff were not retained by Athletic Director Rhonda Hyatt, finally Santa Monica College has a newly appointed head coach. His name is Aaron Benditson and at only 25 years of age, he will be directing the Lady Corsairs soccer team this upcoming season.

Students in the CalWORKS program at Santa Monica College are highly motivated students who participate in all aspects of college life.

This year's summer movie line-up is one of the best we've seen in a long time. "Star Wars Episode III" is one of the movies that kicked off the summer movie line-up that will bring about the rest of the movies hitting theaters in the coming months. We have movies that are suspenseful, action/adventure, comical, and downright horrifying.

When determination and hard work are mixed together, not only success comes along but doors open to golden opportunities. If you doubt it, ask Anthony Allman, Hailey Gilmore, Ethan Lacey and Mariana Horta-Capelli.

After its cancellation two years ago, Santa Monica College is ready to bring back free ESL classes. The Santa Monica College Continuing and Community Education Program is offering seven ESL classes during the summer, beginning on July 5. Due to budget cuts, the program had to be terminated in 2003, said Erica LeBlanc, assistant dean of continuing and community education.