Dancing, eating, and “Macarena”

Kaylee Camacho, Public Relations Manager

October 5, 2012

The Viking Link organizes a freshman tailgate before the Downey vs. Oxnard football game at Allen Layne Stadium, on Sept. 21, that includes link leaders and link advisers Ms. James, Ariel Bravo, 12, Destiny Jones, 12, Mr. Armendariz, Mario Neblina, 12, Fabiola Anguiano, 12, Nkechi Okoroma, 11, and Cory Trujillo, 12. The night was filled with students dancing to various songs like the Cha Cha Slide, the Cupid Shuffle, and even the Macarena, which was a hit and got many students running for the dance floor. “I thought it was fun because we got to interact with different people.” Neblina said. “Normally with people we wouldn’t interact with on our own.”

The Viking Tailgate, the first major event for the new Viking Link club, took place before the football game, at Downey High School, on Sept. 21, 2012. Link leaders and their freshman groups came together to get new students involved in school activities. ASB provided the music that kept participants on their feet. The crowd especially liked the synchronized dances, which consisted of the Spanish songs, “El Caballo Dorado” and the equally popular “Macarena”.

During their bonding and dancing, Austin Farina, 12, enjoyed his experience on Viking Link.

“I wanted to give the freshman a better experience than I had,” Farina said.

The masses were dancing, even those who didn’t know all the steps; it just showed that they were a whole. They stuck together and were free to be themselves without being judged. The freshman and seniors felt comfortable enough around each other, so moments didn’t feel staged or awkward. The evening was filled with laughter and genuine bonding, which fulfilled the key goal of the club, which was helping freshman lose their fears about going to high school.

Adrian Calleros also expressed his wish of having a club like the Link when he was a freshman.

“I do wish there was Viking Link when I was a freshman because I got lost my first day here,” Calleros said.

Calleros is a prime example of the students that get lost on the first day of school. This year Viking Link aimed to take that stress off the freshmen.

“I was a bit overwhelmed and intimidated, but I got the flow of it after the first three day,” Robert Nevarez, 9, said. “I like the new environment.”

Nevarez was one of the many freshmen that were grateful for the Viking Link. He was also grateful for the seniors that guided him on the first day of school.

“It helped because I knew people and knowing people gave me the confidence on my first day,” Nevarez said.

Clearly, Viking Link is proving the stereotyped high school, in teenage movie with bullies and mean teachers, wrong. In fact, Downey High School is the opposite, by making the freshmen feel comfortable and safe. The Tailgate was successful and is just the beginning of many activities that the Link will host.

About the Contributors

Kaylee Camacho, Public Relations Manager

Senior Kaylee Camacho, who is Public Relations manager and a writer, is the newest edition to the Business team of The Downey Legend. Camacho is a fun and spontaneous girl and the staff is grateful to have her as a member. She hopes to contribute as much as possible, so the year is great one. As a senior she is involved in many clubs including: Normineers, JSA, Key Club, and Entourage. Her goal this school year is to get accepted to a commendable university, preferably San Diego State or Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She is enjoying her last year of high school by going to Disneyland every weekend and spending time with her friends and family. “In ten years I see myself as a successful business person and I just want to make the most of my 20s,” Camacho said. As a member of the Business team, she is very active in advertising and celebrating the staff members’ birthdays. She has solid fundraising ideas, and knows many students on campus, which is great for getting the word out there. Camacho’s first experience as a writer was the freshman tailgate story, and she enjoyed writing it.“ In the future I think I will cover another story,” Camacho said. “I like interviewing people, and I work best under pressure.”

Ashley Lozano, Business Manager

Ashley Lozano, 17-year-old senior at Downey High, is this year’s Business Manager and staff photographer for The Downey Legend. Lozano’s hobbies include taking pictures, going to Disneyland, and hanging out with friends. She wants to become a better photographer and be more involved with the school, which is why she joined the newspaper. “I think the newspaper is a great way to meet and talk to new people and get more involved in school activities,” Lozano said. Her goals include making The Downey Legend more popular among students and to get more viewers. She’s part of the business team because she wants to get the word out about the site while becoming the best Business Manager The Downey Legend has had. She also hopes to make this a memorable year. Lozano wants to leave the classroom a better photographer, and wants to travel all over Europe someday. She always liked taking pictures and started show an interest for it because her best friend’s brother is a photographer. Her parents bought her a Canon Rebel T3 camera, giving her an even bigger interest in photography; she also grew closer to enjoying it more since she has always wanted a camera. Lozano is on the right path to achieving her goals by joining the newspaper, working hard to become a better photographer and Business Manager, and making this a successful year for The Downey Legend.