Don’t rain on my parade

Gabriela Sanchez, Arts and Entertainment Editor

December 7, 2012

Young parade observers look on, waiting in the rain, for the final Downey Parade participants along Downey Avenue, on Dec. 3, at three in the afternoon. Despite the weather crowds of spectators turned out to watch the numerous marching bands, Latin dancers, drill teams, and other participants stride through the city.

The community showed holiday spirit on Dec. 2, during the 61^st annual Downey Christmas Parade, while local students and businesses waved through Downey Avenue.

The rainy morning did not halt the event, so bystanders stood with smiles upon their faces, as well as umbrellas over their heads. The audience greatly differed; there were a number of students, parents, and long time residents of the Downey community in attendance. The entertainment consisted of local businesses, group organizations, and school clubs walking through the road full of puddles. Coca Cola Bears and Ronald McDonald imitators displayed a splash of color through the gloomy day and the Boy and Girl Scouts marched through the streets.

The Downey High School varsity and JV cheer squads participated in the event and strutted with their hands in the air chanting “CIF!” with pride, announcing Downey’s victory as CIF champions. The night before, JV cheerleader, Amanda Concha was excited to perform in the parade and shared her favorite part of the annual occasion.
“It was really exciting and seeing all the people was really fun,” Concha said, “My favorite part was just walking around and seeing all the fans in the crowd.”

Present at the festivities, Carolina Rodriguez, a parade attender, enjoyed the show as she watched the floats and felt a sense of community in the air.

“I come every year because I love seeing everyone come out and see all the floats and kids having a blast,” Rodriguez said, “It’s just overall a lot of fun.”

While some attend the parade to awe of the handcrafted floats and vintage Christmas decorated cars, students came out to support fellow Downey club members from KIWINS. Gissel Enriquez, a Downey High School student, attended the Christmas event for the first time and peeked through the crowds to catch a glimpse of the volunteering students.

“I came here to see KIWIN’S, and I like it because they always show spirit,” Enriquez said, “I’d definitely come back.”

The city of Downey gathered on the special and festive occasion, and although the gray clouds were out, the weather did not flood spirits. The annual event never seizes to bring the feeling of a friendly and family orientated community and excites them with holiday joy.

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.

Lauren Montano, Co-Copy Editor

Senior Lauren Montano is an aspiring photographer for The Downey Legend. As a cheerful photojournalist, she is inspired by her settings when taking images of the everyday life of Downey High’s students. For Montano, anything that captures the vibe of a certain place should be photograph-worthy. Her main source of inspiration comes from National Geographic, since the magazine depicts both professional and amateur photographs. This exuberant student hopes to one day be employed by this magazine. Montano regularly checks Vanity Fair and The New York Times for their visually enticing photographs and in-depth articles. Personally, the vivacious photographer prefers to take black and white photography, since it is more timeless and isn’t set in one period. Montano finds pleasure in listening to music, discovering new artists, and reading. “Books give a unique perspective of the world,” Montano said. Author Zora Neale Hurston has had a huge impact of Montano’s life, allowing her to appreciate the writing style of an American author. In her free time, traveling and discovering the world also satisfies Montano, reaching destinations as far as Spain. As an interested Liberal Arts major, Montano hopes to attend Arizona State University or The University of Denver. Whatever Montano chooses to do in life, all she needs is a little inspiration from her colleagues to make her dreams come true.