S.W.A.P. catches fire

Karen Ariciaga

In front of the DHS theatre, S.W.A.P club member Alexis Ortiz, 11, helps sell snacks on Fri., Mar. 7, during the movie day the club was hosting in order to raise money. “I love The Hunger Games, “Ortiz said. “This is my second time watching Catching Fire.”

Gabriela Sanchez, Arts and Entertainment Editor
March 17, 2014

On Fri., Mar. 9, S.W.A.P. club held a viewing of the recently released DVD, Catching Fire after school in the theater, in order to raise funds for future college campus field trips.

The movie event began at 3:00 p.m. and students made their way from their sixth period classes straight to the theater doors. S.W.A.P. club members strategically set a table in front of the entrance full of typical movie theater treats such as Kit Kat bars, Hershey’s Milk Chocolate bars, Hot Cheetos, popcorn, soda, and licorice. The movie-goers swarmed to the table and picked the items that ranged from fifty cents to a dollar so they had something to snack on for the next few hours.

After paying for their quick snacks, students gave their yellow movie tickets, either previously purchased for 2 dollars from a club member, or at the door for 5 dollars, to a S.W.A.P. member and made their way inside to pick their seats.

The theater buzzed from various conversations, and students were excited to watch the second installment of The Hunger Games, Catching Fire. Junior Erin Matias, along with two other friends decided to stop by, support the club fundraiser, and enjoy the screening of the action fantasy film.

“It was only two dollars and, I happen to like watching movies; it was an easy way to help out S.W.A.P. club,” Matias said. “It’s a chill thing to do after school on a Friday.”

In order to raise as much money as they could from the movie event, S.W.A.P. club members attended the showing as well. Senior Daniel Araujo brought along some friends to support the cause and enjoy the 163 min. film.

“I came because I’m part of S.W.A.P. club,” Araujo said, “and I convinced five of my friends to come out too.”

Junior Enrique Calvillo, also a club member, wanted a successful event so he could explore various campuses that he may possibly attend after he graduates.

“[I joined S.W.A.P. because] I want to go to college,” Calvillo said. “We did this fundraiser so we could raise money to go visit colleges, see how they are and see how we like them.”

The S.W.A.P. club is an organization aimed at students who are interested in attending a college or university and are planning for their futures. The fundraiser was aimed to raise money in order for members to visit college campuses, familiarize themselves with the atmosphere, and see if a particular college or university sparked their interest.

The event ended with a round of applause as the science fiction film Catching Fire came to a dramatic end. The fundraiser brought in various student supporters, contributed money to their field trip fund and S.W.A.P. members are a step closer to visiting college campuses of their choice.

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About the Contributors

Gabriela Sanchez, Arts and Entertainment Editor

Writer Gabby Sanchez enters The Downey Legend staff with high hopes and a career oriented state of mind. She has been chosen to take on the position as Arts & Entertainment Editor, a position not so easily conquered. Using her skills as a writer she hopes to attract more readers to the arts Downey High School has to offer. Sanchez decided to join the online publication in order to gain insight in journalism. “I wanted to see if this was something I could be able to do as a career,” Sanchez said. For this aspiring journalist, her work has only just begun.

The editor had never seen her future predicted this way; moving from Peru at the age of three limited her English, proving difficult for her to adjust to the new language. “During elementary, I was bad at English, but its something I later improved in,” Sanchez said. She not only improved in a foreign language, but she also grew to like the challenge she accustomed to. After overcoming this difficulty proved to be a great strength in Sanchez, using it to her advantage when confronted by deadlines as well as schoolwork.

But beyond the classroom is where she enjoys her teen years with friends, listening to music, and enjoying the foods and movies other countries have to offer. “I love Italian food,” the cuisine enthusiast said. “I also like to watch movies in my spare time, especially foreign films.” With having The Downey Legend set as a foundation for her future, Sanchez’ main incentive is to travel the world and live on her own. Although unsure of what college to pursue her journalism career, she knows a UC will suit her in her plan to write for Time Magazine.

Karen Ariciaga, Co-Photo Editor

Senior Karen Ariciaga is starting her second year in Newspaper, and she enjoyed her position very much. She entered Newspaper with a position, as photographer last year, was her first year actually knowing how to work the cameras and take pictures on a professional camera. As a photographer, she has a job of taking pictures of sports events, rallies, and school events. “I really liked taking pictures for events, it was a way for me to see what was going around me,” Agriciaga said. “Being a photographer seems like a fun job, but there is also work that comes with it, there’s a balance.” stated Agriciaga stated. Her goals for newspaper are to enjoy every minute of it.

Photography is one of her many interests, she also enjoys re-watching old TV series such as Gossip Girl in her spare time. “Blair is my favorite,” Ariciaga stated. Other than Gossip Girl, she loves to sleep and eat Sushi, “I can eat sushi it all the time,” said Ariciaga. As a senior, one of her plans for this year is to go to all the dances. Ariciaga wants to be a lawyer when she is older. “I love the feeling of winning an argument,” she said. She plans to attend Loyola Marymount University after high school and wants be signed to a firm after college in hopes of fulfilling her goals. “ I want to get higher scores on my SATs’, pass with straight As, and join more school activities,” Ariciaga said, Her back up plan is to go to San Francisco State and fall back on business, so she is applying for scholarships and other colleges just in case. She is very focused on her career; Karen Ariciaga is very dedicated to get what she wants in life. She is taking steps to get to where she wants and going through it with a great attitude toward her up and coming year.