New class, same enthusiasm

Rodas Hailu, Co-Editor-in-Chief

December 7, 2012

In room B-214, Mrs. Neria feeds Kitsia Arenas, 12, samples of different liquids to experiment with her taste buds as students cover their eyes to gain knowledge about the factors that affect the sense of taste. “Teaching Psychology has been different from the other social studies classes that I have taught because of the experiments,” Mrs. Neria said. “Since it is my first time teaching the subject, sometimes the experiments do not go as I have planned, but my students are patient and kind.”

After over 20 years of enlightening students with United States history, Mrs. Dolores Neria is now teaching Psychology for the first time.

Since more electives were needed at school, Neria was given a Psychology course to teach. Although new to the subject, she did not enter the class without the knowledge of the subject she is teaching. Psychology teachers Ms. Natase and Mrs. Warhurst gave the instructor advice as to how to approach the new class.

“I have taught both AP Psychology and General Psychology in my time here at Downey and over time I have gathered resources (activities, information, etc) that I have used in class,” Nastase said. “Some of these resources were passed on to me by previous Psychology teachers –like Mrs. Warhurst, and some I created,” Nastase said.

Twenty four years after arriving at Downey, Neria’s experiences in teaching social studies have been quite different for a first-time psychology teacher.

“Teaching Psychology has been different from the other social studies classes that I have taught because of the experiments,” Neria said.

Neria is enjoying the new curriculum she has been given; she also appreciates the attentiveness and curiosity of the students she has encountered for her new class, which has created a stronger bond with her mentees.

“I feel they realize I have their best interest at heart, not only with Psychology but also with their college applications and personal issues,” Neria said.

Students, such as senior Giselle Hernandez, have enjoyed Neria’s presence not only as a teacher but also as someone whom they can confide in.

“She’s always giving me advice, but I would say that she’s told me ‘always shoot for what you want and make sure to always have a goal in life,”’ Hernandez said. “She is always pushing me forward when I think I’m not capable of doing things.”

One of the more memorable experiences the Psychology class has encountered was a taste tasting experiment. The procedure’s purpose was to educate the students on what factors affect the senses, as well as whether or not memories were brought up by certain tastes.

“We had a lot of fun…or I had a lot of fun telling them that they were going to taste alligator,” Neria said.

Even with this new course, Neria has handled this transition with the same passion she once had since she started at Downey years ago.

About the Contributors

Rodas Hailu, Co-Editor-in-Chief

Rodas Hailu, Co-Editor-in-Chief of The Downey Legend, leads the 2013-2014 staff into a busy and exciting year, introducing them to the journalistic world and all its wonders. The writer and photographer first entered the online newspaper as a junior, landing the position of Student Life Editor and turned heads when her stories revealed a seemingly natural instinct for investigative journalism. One year in newspaper left Hailu craving more: a position of leadership where she could let her ideas flourish and create a more successful website. As this year’s editor, she hopes to lead her team into greatness and provide a comfortable workspace. According to the senior, there is no room for mediocrity in the online newspaper. “I don’t want the writers and photographers to be apathetic at all,” Hailu said. “If they are in The Downey Legend, they are in The Downey Legend.” Full force and with great efforts, the talented student hopes to heighten the newspaper’s popularity and implement new ideas, hopefully capturing a new, wider audience. The senior, who is often described as an old soul, admires classical music and is moved by each powerful note in pieces composed by Prokofiev, Shostakovich, and Khatchaturian. A violinist of 7 years, her appreciation for works of art extends to cinema, and claims to be an avid movie watcher. “I really love to watch movies with a good script, amazing characters, and wonderful cinematography,” Hailu said. With a sixth sense for different forms of human creativity, she hopes to become a student in a liberal arts college and experience the intimacy of a less populated university. The future awaits Hailu, a force to be reckoned with in the arts field, and she predicts she will be living on her own because of her “innate independence.” Living day by day and constantly telling herself, “whatever happens, happens,” she tunnels her focus on The Downey Legend and its future success. A true leader with a mind coiled with layers of depth, Hailu reveals bits and pieces of her vision through her various works or art, photographs and stories.

Zainub Tremasi, Photographer

In order to get more involved in school and with her love towards photography, Zainub Tremasi joined The Downey Legend as a photographer. Photography is not the only thing that Tremasi enjoys; she also likes spending time with her family, social networking and staying healthy by working out. She also enjoys doing math, which she is planning on majoring in when she attends Cerritos, and later transferring to a Cal State. In the future she also hopes to be a photographer for nature or weddings. “I like romance,” Tremasi said, explaining her draw to wedding photography. With all these plans for the years to come Tremasi admits that she regrets not being in The Downey Legend before, since she is a senior in her last year atDowney. She hopes to have a great year as a photographer for The Downey Legend learning all there is to know about candid photography in preparation for a dream career.