Homework: Is it a Help or a Hindrance

Lukas Luna and Gilberto Jijon
May 17, 2019

It is far too common to find high school students swamped with a seemingly insurmountable workload. Unfortunately, Downey High School is no different. In an attempt to enlighten her younger students to this problem, English teacher Mrs. Roveri has assigned some of her sophomores to write an essay on homeworks effect on student’s lives.

Students tasked with this essay are given a variety of articles and statistics to help them form an argument. Sophomore Malik Hunter finds that the information only serves to support his conception of homework as a hindrance.

“Seeing all the statistics in the article just help to backup my point,” Hunter said. “It is too stressful, it is taking time out of our days, and it is giving us lower grades.”

While seeing the statistics presented in the articles served as a wake up call for some, others, like sophomore, Selma Sanchez, are all too familiar with homeworks troubling effects on student’s lives.

“It kind of limits me from going to parties, hanging out with friends, or even something less than that like watching TV with the family.” Sanchez said “I feel like haven’t been able to do those things as often because of all the homework I have.”

Even with the consensus among students that homework hinders them, the benefits it provides are not lost among Mrs. Roveri’s sophomores. Xander Subdias is one of the many who accept the help it offers despite its flaws.

“There are a lot of problems with homework, but it still helps me out” Subdias said “The practice I get from it helps me better understand lessons.”

While students generally dislike homework for trivial reasons, the more pressing matters homework entails are often ignored by the larger student body. If enough of Mrs. Roveri’s students undertake this essay, then perhaps more Downey High students will become enlightened to the problems that homework causes.

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About the Writers

Lukas Luna, Co-Copy Editor

In his second year as Co-Copy Editor, Lukas Luna, 12, intends to fulfil his future plan of continuing his passion for journalism. With this being his third year in Newspaper, as well as being a Downey High School writing center tutor, Luna works hard to challenge himself. He is always willing to push his boundaries, as he just recently interned for “Voices of Creativity” this summer where he got to interview author and educator, Renaldo Lawrence.

Luna explains that covering event stories are his favorite part of Newspaper. “It’s the most memorable, the most exciting,” Luna said. “It’s hands on, where you feel the most official, where you’re able to get those ‘in the moment quotes.’

Gilberto Jijon, Business Manager

Being in The Downey Legend for the first year, Gilberto Jijon, 12, will be joining the Business Team this 2018-19 school year and aspires to succeed in not just this class, but with his future. “I hope being here will eventually help me get into college to pursue a career in Marketing,” Jijon said. “Marketing means business, so hopefully being a part of the Business Team will lead me in that direction.”

Fierce. That’s it. That’s the word to describe Gilberto.

Gilberto has the brightest personality that can light up a room. When I walked into the newspaper room in the beginning of the year, I knew no one, but I had the opportunity to sit next to one of the nicest people I have ever met. He basically took me under his wing and helped me break out of my shell. Gilberto’s the type of person to be straight up with you and keep it real. This type of personality that inspires people, including myself. I have experienced so many things with him throughout the year, a highlight being my first time going to Chipotle. Another aspect that makes Gilberto who he is are his iconic nails. I’d like to think that they represent him as a person. A strong individual who is not afraid to stand up for what is right. But nonetheless, no matter what happens, I am proud of him. I have seen him grow so much throughout the year, not only as a photographer, but as a kindhearted individual. Wherever he ends up going, I know that he will bring so much joy and compassion to his peers, just like he did with me.

-Francesca Ortiz