San Marin Pony Express

A Student-Run Publication Bringing Community & Campus News to Our Readers
Lockable phone cases set to take over Southern Marin high schools
Lockable phone cases set to take over Southern Marin high schools
San Marin students play a poker variation known as “Texas hold ‘em.” They use chips with different denominations instead of real money to simulate gambling.
Teen gambling increases as betting apps gain popularity
Kona Ice (left) and Tommy's Salsa (right) sell food and sweet treats to students during lunch.
Food stands and trucks become a staple within Novato
A San Marin student looks at the mental health app Seen. This app was created by students Alexander Cameron and Damien Boisvert.
San Marin students win the congressional app challenge
The numbers for the Ebola outbreak as of May 26, 2026. Death tolls are expected to grow.
World Health Organization declares Ebola outbreak a global health emergency
A student finishes math homework with an overload of books surrounding him. He completes each task, highlighting homework overload and student burnout.
The rise of burnout and overexhaustion amongst high school students
Ticketmaster controls a large part of the live music industry, especially after merging with Live Nation, another ticket promotion website, which means there is not much competition to keep prices low.
The price increase in tickets reshapes concert culture
“Tanning exposes your skin to [ultraviolet (UV)] light, and UV light is a known carcinogen, which means it can alter your DNA,” Biotechnology and biology teacher Gillian Boyd said. “It can change the sequences of DNA bases. The more exposure you have, the more risk you have to develop [skin] cancer.”
The normalization and long-term effects of tanning
Power of spending: Financial protests and their impacts
Power of spending: Financial protests and their impacts
Answers to the back page games (June 2026)
Answers to the back page games (June 2026)
Humans of San Marin: November 28, 2022
Humans of San Marin: November 28, 2022
Humans of San Marin: November 15, 2022
Humans of San Marin: November 15, 2022
Humans of San Marin: April 17, 2019
Humans of San Marin: April 17, 2019
Humans of San Marin: January 30, 2019
Humans of San Marin: January 30, 2019
Humans of San Marin: December 13, 2018
Humans of San Marin: December 13, 2018
"This lack of consistency, transparency, and fairness makes the grading system feel less like a tool for learning and more like a source of confusion and stress."
Students struggle with Proficiency-Based Education
"We come up with names for the reasons why high school sucks, like “sophomore slump” and “senioritis.” What we fail to mention is that high school is, to a large extent, what you make of it."
High school is what you make it
Constantly opening the phone to photos of friends on traveling can create anxious thoughts and the need to do the same.
Relieving myself from summer comparison
The danger of parasocial obsessions with young media stars
The danger of parasocial obsessions with young media stars
"Artificial Intelligence - Resembling Human Brain" by deepakiqlect is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
Sora AI shuts down amid concerns about legality and ethics
Remakes [and film adaptations of books] are often criticized for being too repetitive and unnecessary.
Book adaptations raise debates among audiences
Left to right: Seniors Ben Ackley, Elise Chiu, Chloe Phan, and Elijah Dusinski prepare for June with their summer wardrobe.
San Marin students’ guide to an inexpensive summer experience
Emily Gates plays the piano while harmonizing with her fourth period choir class. Gates has taught choir at San Marin High School since 1980.
Unsung Hero: Emily Gates
A bulletin board of boarding passes, international currency, hotel key cards, and more. This is a collection of travel memories and objects from a San Marin student.
The importance of solo traveling in high school
Story Ng performs "Out Tonight" from the musical Rent School Edition.
Story Ng nominated for the Sara Bareilles Awards
San Marin boys get ready to swim against the Marin Catholic boys team at Novato High school.
San Marin swim creates new standards
The World Cup will be held between Canada, the United States and Mexico.
World Cup: Soccer’s biggest game hits North America
"The Mustang Way” is "based on mindset, goal setting, respect and citizenship."
New student training program coming to San Marin
Recently, the Los Angeles Dodgers, who won the World Series last season, have been spending large amounts of money signing very talented players.
Lockout: Are the Dodgers ruining Major League Baseball?
NUSD is facing significant financial challenges and athletics are among the programs affected by budget cuts.
San Marin athletic program faces budget cuts
Stang Gang: How do you show your mustang pride in your sport?
Stang Gang: How do you show your mustang pride in your sport?
Stang Gang: What is your goal for the season?
Stang Gang: Do you prefer home games or away games?
“The Great Divide” shows that vulnerability is Noah Kahan’s greatest superpower
“The Great Divide” shows that vulnerability is Noah Kahan’s greatest superpower
Harry Styles leans into disco and electronic vibes on his new album “Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally."
Harry Styles trades vulnerability for 70s disco
Ilya and Shane from "Heated Rivalry."
“Heated Rivalry” breaks the ice for queer media
Movie Review of Happy Gilmore 1&2
Movie Review of Happy Gilmore 1&2
A Review of A House of Dynamite
A Review of A House of Dynamite
Unsung Heroes: Appreciating Triantafyllos and Tartaglia
Perfection is a rat race, do not fall into its trap
What is the deal with pronoun pins?
Controversy surrounds importance of marriage
Controversy surrounds importance of marriage
Combative sport absent from PE curriculum

San Marin Pony Express

San Marin Pony Express
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Get the news your kids don't tell you! Written and edited entirely by students, the Pony Express is the best way to find out what's really going on at SMHS.

Donations go towards printing the paper and needs of the student editors.

News
Lockable phone cases set to take over Southern Marin high schools
Lockable phone cases set to take over Southern Marin high schools
Jules Pope, Cover Page and Back Page Editor • June 9, 2026
San Marin students play a poker variation known as “Texas hold ‘em.” They use chips with different denominations instead of real money to simulate gambling.
Teen gambling increases as betting apps gain popularity
Annelyse McMickin, Editor-in-Chief • June 8, 2026
Kona Ice (left) and Tommy's Salsa (right) sell food and sweet treats to students during lunch.
Food stands and trucks become a staple within Novato
Alexis Westling and Khylie Inthiratvongsy • June 8, 2026
A San Marin student looks at the mental health app Seen. This app was created by students Alexander Cameron and Damien Boisvert.
San Marin students win the congressional app challenge
Leah Cronin, Reporter • June 8, 2026
The numbers for the Ebola outbreak as of May 26, 2026. Death tolls are expected to grow.
World Health Organization declares Ebola outbreak a global health emergency
Valentina Gudino, Chief-Operations Manager • June 2, 2026
Trending Stories
1
A sign advocating for Measure G posted in front of Morning Star Farms across the street from San Marin High School.

Measure G sparks questions over financial stability in Novato schools

2
A chart showing the racial demographics at San Marin High School.

Racism at San Marin High School creates a negative campus culture

3
View from the backseat of a Waymo in the city of San Francisco.

Waymo or Way No?: A review of a driverless car

4
Courtesy of D. Lobl

High school on TV: The expectation vs. reality 

5
A warm Mustang welcome to new staff

A warm Mustang welcome to new staff

@smhsponyexpress
Features
A student finishes math homework with an overload of books surrounding him. He completes each task, highlighting homework overload and student burnout.
The rise of burnout and overexhaustion amongst high school students
Logan Alsterlind, Reporter • June 8, 2026
Ticketmaster controls a large part of the live music industry, especially after merging with Live Nation, another ticket promotion website, which means there is not much competition to keep prices low.
The price increase in tickets reshapes concert culture
Lane Miguel, Reporter • June 8, 2026
“Tanning exposes your skin to [ultraviolet (UV)] light, and UV light is a known carcinogen, which means it can alter your DNA,” Biotechnology and biology teacher Gillian Boyd said. “It can change the sequences of DNA bases. The more exposure you have, the more risk you have to develop [skin] cancer.”
The normalization and long-term effects of tanning
Alanna McCormick and Emma Sofia Haughey • June 8, 2026
Power of spending: Financial protests and their impacts
Power of spending: Financial protests and their impacts
Weston Stahley, Reporter • June 7, 2026
Arts & Culture
Remakes [and film adaptations of books] are often criticized for being too repetitive and unnecessary.
Book adaptations raise debates among audiences
Lila Chase, News Editor • June 8, 2026
Left to right: Seniors Ben Ackley, Elise Chiu, Chloe Phan, and Elijah Dusinski prepare for June with their summer wardrobe.
San Marin students’ guide to an inexpensive summer experience
River Koch, Chief-Operations Manager • June 8, 2026
Emily Gates plays the piano while harmonizing with her fourth period choir class. Gates has taught choir at San Marin High School since 1980.
Unsung Hero: Emily Gates
Taliyah Cavanaugh, Sports and Opinion Editor • June 7, 2026
A bulletin board of boarding passes, international currency, hotel key cards, and more. This is a collection of travel memories and objects from a San Marin student.
The importance of solo traveling in high school
Beatrice Plescia, Editor-in-Chief • June 5, 2026
Sports
San Marin boys get ready to swim against the Marin Catholic boys team at Novato High school.
San Marin swim creates new standards
Caitlin Horan, Reporter • June 8, 2026
The World Cup will be held between Canada, the United States and Mexico.
World Cup: Soccer’s biggest game hits North America
Parker Davis, Reporter • June 8, 2026
"The Mustang Way” is "based on mindset, goal setting, respect and citizenship."
New student training program coming to San Marin
Ella Berberian, Reporter • June 8, 2026
Recently, the Los Angeles Dodgers, who won the World Series last season, have been spending large amounts of money signing very talented players.
Lockout: Are the Dodgers ruining Major League Baseball?
Ella Berberian, Reporter • June 2, 2026
Opinion
"This lack of consistency, transparency, and fairness makes the grading system feel less like a tool for learning and more like a source of confusion and stress."
Students struggle with Proficiency-Based Education
Mack Sunke, Reporter • June 8, 2026
"We come up with names for the reasons why high school sucks, like “sophomore slump” and “senioritis.” What we fail to mention is that high school is, to a large extent, what you make of it."
High school is what you make it
Ruby Jae Hudlow, Arts and Culture Editor • June 4, 2026
Constantly opening the phone to photos of friends on traveling can create anxious thoughts and the need to do the same.
Relieving myself from summer comparison
Mack Sunke, Reporter • June 2, 2026
The danger of parasocial obsessions with young media stars
The danger of parasocial obsessions with young media stars
Beatrice Plescia, Lila Chase, Leah Cronin, Caitlin Horan, Emma Haughey, Jules Pope, Logan Alsterlind, Mack Sunke, Lane Miguel, and Ruby Jae Hudlow • June 1, 2026
The next issue comes out in...
Volume 60, Version 5 is out!
Reviews
“The Great Divide” shows that vulnerability is Noah Kahan’s greatest superpower
“The Great Divide” shows that vulnerability is Noah Kahan’s greatest superpower
Ella Berberian, Reporter • June 2, 2026
Harry Styles leans into disco and electronic vibes on his new album “Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally."
Harry Styles trades vulnerability for 70s disco
Lane Miguel, Reporter • April 1, 2026
Ilya and Shane from "Heated Rivalry."
“Heated Rivalry” breaks the ice for queer media
Mack Sunke, Reporter • February 6, 2026
Movie Review of Happy Gilmore 1&2
Movie Review of Happy Gilmore 1&2
Grant Means, Reporter • January 13, 2026
Donate to San Marin Pony Express
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Contributed
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