Heels over head

Irene Luna, Editor-in-Cheif

March 21, 2012

Ever since kindergarten, Joseph Carter has done flips whenever he had the chance. His random stunts caught the eye of various students and staff, including Mr. Baker, while doing a back flip off of the storage bins behind the school gymnasium.

“I just love to jump and make people feel surprised when I do crazy things,” Carter said. “I never second guess myself. I just make sure it’s something I know I can do before I do it. I guess since I’ve been flipping for so long I just know what’s too high or too low.”

Recently, Carter participated in a competition at the Irvine Global Village and got first place for jumping 6 feet, 4 inches. On the weekends Carter and some friends of his, like seniors Jaleel Williams and Richard Jordan, all hang out and do random stunts, catching the eyes of many passerby’s.

“The craziest thing I ever did was a front flip off a roof in the eighth grade,” Jordan said. “It was pretty high, higher than the average roof. When I was at school in Palmdale they told me to stop once.”

Some of their extreme stunts include back flips, 360 back flips, high jumps, long jumps over gaps, and even creating their own moves. Oftentimes, the trio just does what works for them, and if they’re not feeling it, they just make up a new move.

Williams got started with flips in his freshman year when Carter taught him how to do a back flip. He says he knew how to flip when he was younger, but felt unsure about flipping as he got older.

“When you’re in the air, in your mind you’re like ‘oh wow I hope I don’t land on my neck!’,” Williams said, “and I have landed on my neck before—it’s not fun.”

Besides his random stunts, Carter says he has another passion.

“I don’t really see jumping and flipping as a career. I also love to sing, but there are a lot of options,” the youngster said.

Wherever life takes these boys, they sure are going to surprise those around them.

About the Contributor

Irene Luna, Editor-in-Cheif

Being one of the returning members of The Downey Legend, senior Irene Luna takes pride in her recently acclaimed position as Editor-in-Chief. The ambitious student’s journey all started at the beginning of her sophomore year. Having an available spot for an elective, Luna was placed in the newly created newspaper class. Even though she started as a writer, the 10^th grader worked her way up the ladder as Co-Arts & Entertainment Editor. The following year she was appointed Co-Editor-In-Chief, all the while being trained to achieve her current position. She has only the highest hopes for this year’s group of individuals. “After the long process of picking out the different students, I have complete confidence in saying that the 2011-2012 newspaper group will achieve many goals which could not be achieved in the previous years,” Luna said. When she’s not doing work for newspaper, you can find the Editor-in-Chief readily preparing herself for the future. Her experiences throughout high school have motivated Luna to study the field of Journalism as a probable career. Taking everything step by step, she hopes to attend the University of Nevada in Las Vegas. If that plan does not follow through, her second option would be attending a California State University. Though schoolwork may be a big part of her life, Luna proves to be a diligent worker. Contrary to many teens, she values her family, friends, and education above all other things. As the school year brings a fresh start, this motivated individual is ready to take charge of The Downey Legend.