corsair news STAFf
Spring 2023
sasha funes
-EDITOR-in-chief-
Sasha is a journalism major starting her 5th semester at SMC. She's passionate about sports, primarily baseball, more specifically the Dodgers, and writing and hopes to become a sports journalist.
michael zavala
-culture Editor-
Michael is a Journalism major in his second year at SMC, and new member of The Corsair newsrooom. In his spare time he enjoys reading, and spending time with his family.
Sydney Partyka
-opinion Editor-
Sydney was raised in North Carolina and moved to Los Angeles in 2021. She is a freshman at SMC. In her free time, Syd loves biking, going to the beach, reading, art, and writing poetry.
baleigh o’Brien
-Arts & Entertainment Editor-
Baleigh is completing her last semester as a Journalism major at SMC with plans to transfer to Cal State LA to obtain her Bachelors degree. Outside of school, she works in the service industry, further growing her curiosity for cuisine and people. Her other interests include, but are not limited to: traveling, cooking, art, and fashion.
Callie YiU
-multimedia editor-
As a Broadcast major student at Santa Monica College, Callie is passionate about multimedia journalism. She is experienced in onset Television and film production, and plans to pursue Journalism in USC Annenberg, along with a minor in Psychology. Aside from journalism, she is an avid concert goer and enjoys singing and playing the guitar.
MyDari Baker
-Staff writer-
My'Dari is a freshman at SMC majoring in Journalism. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, collecting candles, and spending time with friends and family.
Rebecca Hogan
-social media staff-
Rebecca is a former Corsair Arts/Entertainment Editor and Staff Writer who is excited to return as part of the Corsair Social Media Team. She has a degree in music and is a founding Board Member of Make Music L.A. and the Just Jazz Series. She is a 3rd generation Santa Monican who loves spending time with her family and connecting people through the Arts.
isaac manno
-Staff photographer-
Isaac is new to The Corsair this semester. He is a Journalism major, and is passionate about taking Photos... and in his free time he's reading Mystery novels or comic books
Tyler simms
-STAFF photographer-
Tyler believes in objectivity with regards to the news above everything else. Tyler aspires to tell stories that make people think more deeply about their world at large.
Conor heeley
-Managing editor-
Conor loves cats.
Antoineé Jones
-News editor-
Antoineé Jones is a new staff writer for the Corsair with over 3 years of general office assistance experiences. Seeking internship at Asian American Journalist Association in Summer 2023 and other writing opportunities. His content will be primarily focused on promoting Culture, Diversity & Languages.
Ryan Watts
- Sports editor-
Inspiring Sports Journalist
Taylor Smith
-Arts & Entertainment Editor-
This is Taylor's first year at The Corsair. After growing up in Kansas, Taylor moved to California and is currently working towards a degree in Journalism. Having been invested in the arts since a child, she has a passion for all things music and theater.
Presley alexander
-multimedia editor-
Presley is a journalism and biology major at SMC. They are passionate about science and technology, and hope to bring more science coverage to the Corsair. When they’re not writing, they can be found in the lab, on a film set, or reading with their pets.
nick mccall
-staff photographer-
Nick has worked as a sound mixer, boom operator, carpenter, in an archive, and in accounting. He currently does background acting. He has a BA in Cinema-TV and an MS in Computer Science from the University of Southern California. Nick lives in Koreatown and has been in Los Angeles since 2000.
Josh Hogan
-STAFF WRITER-
Josh is returning to the Corsair as a Staff Writer. Entertainment and Studio News are his focus, and he displays a unique expertise in Disney/Pixar/Marvel Culture. In his free time he attends movie and studio events, amusement parks and develops his instagram.
Akemi rico
-Staff photographer-
Akemi is a Los Angeles native who has a passion for travel and unusual experiences. She loves taking photos, whether it's portraits of people or landscapes out in the middle of the wilderness. It's her first semester with the Corsair and she is looking forward to developing her skills in storytelling and developing relevant, timely stories for the Santa Monica College community.
Bryan antunez
-staff writer-
In his final semester at SMC, Bryan is a Journalism major and is about to graduate with his AA-T and plans to transfer to Cal State LA. Bryan wants to be part of the entertainment industry, specifically in the areas of movies, tv shows, and video games. In his free time, Bryan is either playing video games, watching a movie/tv show, exercising, spending time with loved ones, and spending time with his cat.
Jackson tammariello
-senior copy Editor-
Jackson Tammariello is a journalism student excited to return to The Corsair. He has an Associate’s Degree in public policy and holds a passion for statistics and mathematics. In his free time, he enjoys playing guitar and cooking for his friends and family.
christina torres
-Social media editor-
Christina is finishing off her last semester at SMC as a Journalism major. She plans to transfer to Cal State Long Beach or a UC to work on her bachelors degree. When she's not in school, she enjoys ballet, going to concerts, and spending time with her two cats.
caylo seals
-design editor-
Caylo Seals is a photographer based in Los Angeles, California, and a current student at Santa Monica College.
Daniel De Anda
-staff photographer-
Daniel De Anda is a photographer and U.S Army veteran a native to Los Angles, California. When he is not photographing he is with his dogs.
Danilo Perez
- Staff photographer -
Danilo Perez is a photographer returning for his third semester with The Corsair. In his free time he enjoys playing sports, watching movies and exploring.
Jehrid hale
-staff photographer-
Jehrid is a producer, writer and creative director working in documentary story and an aspiring author in his free time. As an implant to Los Angeles from Minnesota, he looks to dive into the intimate nature of the world surrounding us and strives to welcome focus in a world distracted. New to The Corsair, he believes in encouraging curiosity in all things to showcase the human aspect and wonderment of life.
Rafaella Ramaciote
-staff writer-
Rafa is a brazilian journalist student at SMC. She is currently interested in writting about sports and latin culture. During her free time she enjoys talking and meeting new people.
Ashley Chinchilla
-STAFF Writer-
Ashley Chinchilla is a returning student at The Corsiar for her last semester at SMC. She will be graduating with her ADT in Journalism. It will be her final semester before she moves on to continue her education at Cal State L.A as a Journalism Major.
Damond Collier Sr.
-Social media staff-
Damond Collier is the founder of www.prideinunity.org. He is also a writer, Director, and visual editor majoring in Film Studies at SMC.
Anna Sophia Moltke
-photo editor-
Anna Sophia Moltke is a photographer based in Los Angeles, California. When she is not photographing, her interests include going for hikes in nature, as well as reading and collecting books.
Katheryne Menendez
-Digital editor-
Katheryne is a sophomore at SMC and is thrilled to be Digital Editor at The Corsair. She is passionate about politics and social justice and loves music, books, photography, collecting CDs and books, and cats. When she is not working, she can be found listening to music, reading a book, taking pictures of her friends and family, and playing with her pets.
alejandro contreras
-Design editor-
Alejandro is majoring in photography, and taking this journalism class to improve his storytelling with photos.
Ilayda gercek
-staff writer-
Ilayda Gercek writes for the Corsair while pursuing a degree in Journalism. Born in Germany, she's had a passion for news and media from a very young age. In her free time, she enjoys reading and writing stories that make people ponder the world we live in more critically.
Shaylee guerrero
-STAFF Writer-
Shaylee Guerrero is a new staff writer. She is interested in topics such as arts & entertainment, opinion, social media and culture. In her free time she enjoys playing gutair and skateboarding.
Dylan dayton
-copy editor-
Dylan Dayton has worked in Sports Journalism for 6 years. It is his second semester at SMC and he is majoring in Nutrition and Kiniseology. He loves all sports, but his favorite sport is basketball. He played basketball for 5 years and was playing at the varsity level in high school. He went to Vistamar High School in El Segundo. He hopes to help with the sports coverage here at SMC and eventually get a job in the Journalism field at a major network.
victor chambers
-Staff writer-
Victor Chambers is a Journalism student hailing from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He is interested in writing opinion and culture pieces focused on highlighting the Latino experience in the United States and the topics of immigration, racial relations, and LGBTQ+ rights.
jorge devotto ordoñez
-Staff Photographer-
Jorge is an experienced cameraman in the Industry with a documentary filmaking goal. Born in Arica, Chile. He turned to SMC to learn how to give voice to the voiceless and to bring out news that need to be in the light.
Torrie Krantz-Klein
-staff writer-
Torrie is a 5th year, duo-major film and journalism student. She has a passion for story telling through cinematography and video editing. When she is not working for the corsair and taking classes at SMC, she can be found filming music videos, writing, or running her free-lance video editing business.