Throughout the years, Downey High School offers many clubs and continuously encourages students to come up with new ones for others to get involved and to have fun. As many clubs and activities are operating, the new Locked-in Club started 2 weeks ago on September 13th, 2024 (Friday), filled with students ready to lock in. Meeting every other Friday from 3:45 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in room B114. Locked-in club starts off with snacks, having an ice-breaker question that makes many students laugh, presenting tips for studying, then time to lock in. Wanting to help students to improve academically and enjoy the progress to become successful. Locked-in Club doesn’t just provide studying habits, presentations, ice-breakers, volunteering to help and support, but offering guidance, snacks, and interacting with others. Students in Locked-in Club find it as a place where you can be safe to study and lock in, have fun and enjoy each other’s company. This year, Helena Hang, 11, takes the role as President for Locked-in club. Hang shares her experience and inspiration towards Locked-in. “The Locked-in Club means a lot to me, at first it was just a silly freshmen idea I had in mind, but now it’s actually happening and I’m excited to see my club grow!”, Hang states, “The Locked-in Club is about having a place to study and learning better study habits. The club also wants to help students improve academically and to also enjoy the process.” “I hope to see in the future many more students joining and utilizing the study habits we will be offering,” she continues. “I would like others to feel like the club is a safe studying environment. A place where they can actually study without any distraction, and to have their peers motivate them to strive for their academic goals harder.” Heng was inspired when she would hear the words “Lock in” as a way to motivate students with upcoming assignments and big tests. Understanding that many students have a difficult time focusing and end up procrastinating. Therefore, Heng is not only inspired by this idea to help other students, but students being motivated and taking action to get their work done. With the help of Mr. Navarro who is the club advisor, he sees the improvement and growth of Locked-in Club; even former students of Mr. Navarro arrive ready to lock in. Social Media Manager, Samantha Huerto, 11, shares many enjoyable experiences and shows a lot of interest in helping others. “Locked-In Club is a space for students to study, help one another, and make new friends”. Huerto states, “Over time, I hope that our club not only becomes more organized but also continues to grow into a supportive community for everyone. Rather than just a classroom, I see a warm environment enriched with friendships, learning, and success!”. Club Member, Esther Kang, 11, expresses how the Locked-in club operates. “I think this is a great idea for a club because it puts a focus on doing homework and can help others become better students”. Kang states, “I like the locked-in club because it’s a time for me to not procrastinate and actually get the work done.” Leaving off with appreciation and seeing that club leaders will do a great job to help members and new guests with their assignments and make it a great place for productive activities. With that said, Locked-in Club is not just a place to focus and study in a safe environment but to grow as an individual and with others, bonding, making new friendships, taking what is offered and using beneficial skills later on in life. Locking in to get work done.
The Locked-In Club
October 9, 2024
About the Contributors
Lisa Torres, Photographer/Writer
For her first year in Newspaper, Lisa Torres, 12, joins this year's crew as a photographer/writer. Torres hopes to achieve good grades this year, she also wants to have fun adventures and learn new things. Torres has plans of graduating from Downey with good grades and then going to Cerritos to then transfer to Cal State Long Beach to pursue a career in the medical field. With the free time that Torres has, she likes to Dance, Listen to music and sing, she also likes photography and visiting nature. Torres also enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Her favorite animal is a dolphin but has a dream pet which is a fat and chubby bulldog.
Torres was excited to join newspaper this year, after being in photojournalism last year and recommended by the teacher, "I am really excited to explore the creative side of newspaper, having new experiences to photograph and write about" Torres stated "it's really something I've always been curious about and ready to begin new chapters in my life."
Nadia Phutsorn, Illustrator
Starting her first year on the Downey Legend as an Illustrator, Nadia Phutsorn,11, hopes to make connections here at newspaper as well as get back into art. Although she doesn't know where she would like to attend college yet, she wants to major in oncology. When she's not in school Phutsorn likes to draw and play the piano, both of which she has been doing since 6th grade. Despite describing herself as an introvert Phutsorn wants to use Newspaper to help her step out of her comfort zone and be a part of a bigger community.
“I want to hopefully connect with more people,” Phutsorn said. “For a long time I’ve avoided big communities, they made me uncomfortable in a way but now I want to settle in a place that makes me feel safe.”