Giving donations for the ones who need it most

Rodas Hailu, Co-Editor-in-Chief

April 26, 2013

Since the beginning of April, seniors who applied for scholarships have undergone interviews to determine the winners of these cash contributions.

Over four hundred seniors applied for the available scholarships that the Downey community provided for the soon-to-be college students. Since January, seniors who wanted to apply for a local scholarship had to go through an extensive application process, which included turning in copies of resumes, GPA verification, forms and essays via online and in person to Mrs. Tina Campos. Then the database that students used to turn in their applications electronically matched them u, based on their eligibility, to specific organizations. After the applications were turned in, students were notified in April what scholarships they were nominated for and when their interviews would be conducted.

Joselyne Martinez felt like her interview for the Soroptomist Art Scholarship went smoothly.

“The women there were not intimidating,” Martinez said. “It was a very good interview. I felt like I could talk about myself without feeling intimidated.”

If Martinez does receive a scholarship, she hopes to use the money to pay for basic college necessities that students take into consideration when extending their education.

“I plan to pay for textbooks and tuition and anything else that I need to pay at my college,” Martinez said.

However, for Optimist and Stauffer Scholarship nominee Mason Campos, the interview process was more nerve-racking. Campos went in for his interview for the Optimist Scholarship, which awards students for community service. Although three students, one each from Downey, Warren and Columbus, are chosen for the award, it still gave Campos a reason to feel anxious.

“I was really nervous,” Campos said. “I was shaking before I came in. I then became comfortable. Everything I said came out fluid.”

Stauffer Scholarship contenders, like Alejandra Chantre, turned in a different application to give to their respective counselors. Chantre was really surprised that she could partake in a rewarding process.

“I’m not too into school,” Chantre said. “I’m new to this [the interview]. It never happened to me before.”

After her counselor, Mrs. Miller, guided her to apply for the scholarship, the day finally came when she went in for her interview after finding out that she was in the running to win a donation. Although it was her first interview, she did feel less worried after it was over.

“I felt relieved and I’m just glad I’m over it,” Chantre said. “I thought it was going to be worse.

Although the winners will not be announced until Senior Awards Night in May, hopeful seniors are pleased that they have been considered to win something that will assist them in their future college endeavors.

About the Contributor

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.