Is ballet an art or a sport? Ballerina Claire Scattini of Nipomo argues, “Why not both?” Scattini, 18, has been dancing since she was 3, when her parents enrolled her in the California Arts Academy in Fresno, where she grew up. “Ballet is very physically demanding, but it still requires a lot of emotion and […]
Caleb Wiseblood
Posted inNews
Spotlight on: Hair Extensions by Emily
Emily Lawson, owner and stylist
Emily Lawson had a revelation while studying psychology at Cuesta College—the same realization many students have at least once in their academic careers—to switch majors. Lawson knew exactly what she wanted to pursue, but it meant changing schools as well. Having nearly enough units under her belt already, Lawson stayed to receive an assoicate degree […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Maddie Smith
Although 13-year-old Maddie Smith currently resides in Oxnard, Santa Maria will always feel like home to her for many reasons. During winter and summer breaks, Maddie returns to visit friends and relatives. The city has a special place in her heart not only because she grew up here, it’s also where she discovered her favorite […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Santa Maria Swim Club to send seven athletes to the NCSA Junior Nationals
Three girls and four boys from the Santa Maria Swim Club (SMSC) qualified to compete at the National Club Swimming Association (NCSA) Junior National Championships this year. The competition takes place Aug. 1 through 5 in Indianapolis, Ind. The seven athletes make up the largest group of Nationals qualifiers from the club since 2009, Coach […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Adam Miranda
Ernest Righetti High School graduate Adam Miranda used to be a Warrior, until he became a Spartan. Miranda competed in the 2015 and the 2016 Reebok Spartan Race—one of the most popular obstacle course tournaments in the country. Miranda will compete again at the 2017 race this August in Los Angeles at Dodger Stadium. “I […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
One Way Water Polo Club team heads to the National Junior Olympics for the first time
Thirteenth place might sound humbling elsewhere, but not for the Santa Maria 12-and-under One Way Water Polo Club team. For the first time in team history, One Way qualified for the Water Polo National Junior Olympics (NJO)—the largest age group water polo tournament in the country. One Way earned its spot by finishing 13th at […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Courtney Tuskan
Female rock climbers from around the globe, including Lompoc resident Courtney Tuskan, gathered at Owen’s River Gorge in Bishop, Calif., for the 2017 Flash Foxy Women’s Climbing Festival. “During those three days, I met and camped out with some amazing women from all over the world,” Tuskan told the Sun. “The climbing community are generally […]
Posted inNews
Spotlight on: Helping Hand Document Services
Corina Yee, legal document assistant
It’s never too late to start over. This was Corina Yee’s mantra after losing her job at Vandenberg Air Force Base. Yee worked for the United Launch Alliance (ULA) for almost a decade and expected to retire there. But when she was laid off during her ninth year, her future was unclear. “The ULA had […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
State denies Santa Maria’s grant request for proposed multi-sports field complex
“We regret to inform you” is the last thing anyone wants to read at the beginning of a notice—a phrase commonly found in rejection letters from universities. The city of Santa Maria didn’t apply for college this year, rather a $1 million grant from the state. Earlier this month, the California Department of Parks and […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Dria Kwong
Every year, the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) invites the top swimmers and divers throughout the state to compete at the CCCAA Swimming and Diving Championship. Dria Kwong, who swam for Allan Hancock College, competed in the women’s 100-yard butterfly event in 2016 and 2017. For both years now, Kwong made it to the […]
Posted inNews
Summer camps evacuated, canceled due to Whittier Fire
The Whittier Fire sent scores of campers home from three summer camps that were evacuated July 8 after the fire blazed across acres of dry, forested mountainside near Cachuma Lake. The fire began right around the gates of Camp Whittier, according to the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Kelly Hoover. The Sheriff’s Office […]
Posted inNews
Spotlight on: Digi Diva Graphics
Heather Hight, owner and founder
Some studies suggest that scribbling helps people pay attention and retain information, which could be used as a defense for students who doodle in the margins of their notebooks during class. Heather Hight, owner and founder of Digi Diva Graphics, was always a student of the doodling variety—from elementary school to college. If you were […]
