Soon-to-be graduate Valerie Matias is one of many students in the Santa Monica College (SMC) class of 2021, whose unusual and challenging online-learning experience will end with a unique event — SMC’s first Diploma Drive-Thru Celebration. “It’s gonna be a drive-thru, but I’m excited because even though [school] was difficult, I’m still here, and I was able to get here,” said Matias, who is graduating with an associate's degree in sociology.

My time at the Corsair has been far from what I originally anticipated. I enrolled in Journalism 16; Producing the Campus Newspaper, simply to check off the final box I needed to get my associates degree in journalism before transferring to California State University, Northridge (CSUN) for the Fall 2020 semester.

The Corsair: Issue 7 (Spring 2021)

After nearly 60 years of operation, Pacific's Cinerama Dome in Hollywood closed its doors this April. Film-lovers all over Los Angeles have taken to social media and online petitions to save the theater.

Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, Calif. on May 17, 2021. For the first time since mask mandates began, people in Los Angeles County are allowed in public areas without masks. (Maxim Elramsisy | The Corsair)

Fans of Canadian singer-songwriter Justin Bieber share their thoughts on his new album "Justice" and on the singer's new sound.

Yvette Gellis has installed a 450 ft mural along the Annenberg Community Beach House fence.

Since typical social gatherings and public spaces have closed because of the virus, many people have turned to dating apps to continue dating throughout the pandemic.

A new Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit is making a world-wide impact.

This revealing docuseries delves into the singer's struggles with mental illness, drug addiction, and sexual trauma, which may be triggering for some.

The 18th Street Arts Center supports artists from around the globe and showcases their artwork to the world. Their annual Make Jazz Fellowship, selected pianist and composer Paul Cornish, as their 2021 artist in residence. Cornish performed his original works in a free concert streamed from the iconic World Stage in Leimert Park, on April 25, 2021.

Once a week I get a notification on my phone telling me the average amount of screen time I’ve used over the past 7 days. What was once an alert I didn’t put too much thought into, now serves as a reminder of how I spend the majority of my time each day on my phone.

College athletes might be entitled to additional compensation if SCOTUS rules in their favor

Santa Monica College's Speech and Debate team hosted their first annual intramural tournament, resulting in one winner taking home the first place medallion.

Community activist David Busch-Lilly resting across the street on the Clinton Street Stairway no longer able to live on the grounds of the Echo Park a community that once was his home before he was removed from Echo Park by city of Los Angeles on March 25, 2021. David Busch-Lilly is still fighting for the right for the homeless to live there Thursday May 5th, 2021. (Photographer Kevin Tidmore/The Corsair)

The Corsair: Issue 6 (Spring 2021)

On April 19, all adults in the United States became eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. This is a cause for celebration for many — myself included — after the difficult months the state faced over the winter season. In December, California received its first shipment of the Pfizer vaccine, and began vaccinating essential healthcare workers. At that same time, Los Angeles became the latest epicenter in the country, where it was averaging over 15,000 cases a day during the holidays.

Infographic by Sam Plascencia | The Corsair

SMC student-athletes find themselves in uncharted territory.

The UC and CSU systems join forces with a plan set to enroll over one million students and employees across 33 major campuses