Lou Riggs Goes from SMC Student to SMC Teacher
By Russell Bouvouloir
Corsair Staff Writer

Professor Lou Riggs Photo Stephanie Yee

“I expect you to learn whether you know it or not.” This is the phrase that Lou Riggs, Professor of Communications, uses at the introduction of each of his classes. Riggs, sporting enormous sunglasses and his signature untamed hair, is truly a master in disguise.

Professor Riggs has been teaching at Santa Monica College for over 20 years. He started teaching Communications in 1984 at the Main Campus and has been involved with the subject his entire life.

By the age of 12, Riggs knew he wanted to become a broadcaster. With hard work and perseverance, Riggs managed to get through the tough times and make it to where he is now. “He’s the Michael Jordan of Sportscasting Guru’s,” says former student Chris Marlowe, who credits Professor Riggs for his newfound career.

Riggs didn’t just start off as the mentor he is today. His long list of industry jobs range from KCRW to teaching at the Columbia School of Broadcasting in New York.
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Operation Unity Stops By Hillel
By Laura Hernandez
Corsair Staff Writer

It is difficult for a teenager to decide on taking a trip that means a hardworking mission instead of a vacation. However, some high school students from inner cities in Los Angeles accepted the challenge and went on an experience that changed their lives forever, when they enrolled in Operation Unity Program.

Cookie Lommel is the founder of Operation Unity Program, and she spoke about it on Thursday, May 1, in the Letters and Science building, in an event organized by the Hillel club of Santa Monica College.

Operation Unity Program took African American and Latino high school students from inner cities in L.A. to a trip to Israel for about two months to help them understand cultural diversity.
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Gaytino Pride Displayed at Edye Second Space
By Rene Hernandez
Corsair Staff Writer

“Hey, Maricon!” a fellow student yells at Dan as he enters the school bus heading back to East Los Angeles. Translated to English, the word means “queer,” and it’s a rude awakening for a child who, while visiting Hollywood for the first time on a field trip, becomes enamored with musicals.

Scared and unsure of how to respond, Dan hesitates for a moment and then chooses to ignore the slur, pretending nothing happened as he sits down in his seat.
This is during the 1950s, when many Latino Americans claimed to be Spanish, as if “it were a step up.”

These days Dan Guerrero is no longer scared to admit that he’s gay or Latino as is apparent in the title of his one man show “¡Gaytino!”
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SMC’s Own Project Runway
By Barbara Szabo
Corsair Staff Writer

Lights, camera, walk.This year’s “Can’t Stop Fashion: La Mode Fashion Show” was nothing short of fierce and aesthetically brilliant.

The students’ abilities are as good as graduate level,” said trends, design and retail merchandising professor Lorrie Iras, who was also in charge of the model line-up, coordinating, and accessories for the night.
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Two Galleries For the Price of None
By Alexandra Stanivsic
Corsair Staff Writer

With a wide variety of two and three-dimensional works, the Annual Student Art Show reopened for first time after a two-year absence Friday, May 2, to exhibit the best of the student’s creations at Santa Monica College’s Madison Campus.

“This year’s show is about everything that is taught in the classrooms at SMC, so there is not a central theme since the student’s work comes from so many different kinds of classes,” said Marian Winsryg, gallery director.
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SMC Students Have Got Talent to Spare
By Rob Lawrence
Corsair Staff Writer

The Synapse dance group perform in the Arts Fair Talen Show. Photo Marilyn Taylor Corsair

Over at Santa Monica College’s clock tower there were pizza and cupcakes being given away, but the real treat was all of the student talent. In an effort to showcase all of SMC’s gifted students, the Associated Students put on the first ever talent show on Thursday, May 1.

Much like American Idol’s Simon, Paula and Randy, Benny Blaydes, advisor of student life, Hiedi Hoeck, A.S. President and Robert Miller, SMC student served as the judges for the show.
There were 10 dance and music acts, all with a chance to win a $250 gift card to the destination of their choice.
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Tricky’s Massive Attack on SMC Philosophy Students
By Beatrice Huguet
Corsair Staff Writer

For those of you who wonder what Tricky has up to lately, a new record, a record label and a documentary would be the answer. Tricky, for some reason, doesn’t seem to have reached the same level of success in the States as he has in Europe.

He was formerly a member of the British band Massive Attack but has recently been working on solo projects, making a name for himself over the years as a Trip-Hop Rapper-musician, which he hates to be labeled as.
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