It’s the most wonderful time of the year

Rodas Hailu, Co-Editor-in-Chief

December 13, 2013

On Fri., Dec. 6, the Stay Gallery partners up with True Lasting Connections to conduct a toy drive. Members of the Downey community brought toys of a ten-dollar value or more, enjoyed the art and entertainment, and ate free pizza.

On Friday, Dec. 6, the Stay Gallery held their second annual Ugly Sweater Holiday Toy Drive, collecting over 200 toys from the community.

The toy drive, held in partnership with the district’s TLC Family Resource Center, was held to collect toys during the holiday season to provide gifts for underprivileged children within the city. Unwrapped toys, as well as a donation of $10, were both acceptable contributions for the cause.

The toy drive also consisted of visitors wearing their ugliest sweaters to the gallery. From a vintage 80s sweater (mimicking ones made popular by Bill Cosby), to blunt Aztec patterns, the people who took a fashion faux pas were welcomed by the hosts.

Since the event was a way to collect funds and gifts for the holiday season, several students volunteered their time at the gallery. Junior Melissa Pardo from Warren High School has volunteered her time at the gallery twice.

“We met Val (gallery owner), so he introduced us to Stay, so we said for sure we would volunteer at the next events,” Pardo said.

She volunteered with her friend, junior Angie Franco. Both participate in a club called the Humanitarian Society, where they devote their time to volunteering at places such as the Rancho Los Amigos Rehabilitation Center; however, Franco realized that there were other reasons why she wanted to spend her free time helping the Stay Gallery.

“After Val told us about Stay Gallery, we wanted to support that idea,” Franco said. “Downey needs to be revived, so we need more events like this.”

Although the event was held primarily for the toy drive, the gallery also had paintings available for viewing. Shirley Johnson, a Downey resident, was surprised with the immediate success the gallery had within the ommunity.

“They’re very innovative,” Johnson said. “I just thought it [the gallery] was going to be just a building with some paintings… I think this is a great venue. They’ve put this together so quickly. It’s a good spot.”

Local bands, such as The Holy Child and Otha Derek, performed music while visitors came in and out of the gallery. Food and drinks were available, as well as games, like Jenga, for anyone interested. Although the gallery holds the toy drive once a year, it has become a stronger way for the community to come together and fight for a cause.

About the Contributors

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.

Heidi Castillo, Photographer

Heidi Castillo, photographer for The Downey Legend joined the staff to get involved during her last year of high school as well as express her love for photography. Castillo did not hesitate to join the staff, feeling she would enjoy the experience despite the sometimes hectic environment. Being a member of the online newspaper will not only help Castillo expand her photographer skills, it will also provide an opportunity to bond with her fellow peers. “I think it is a great way to meet new people and build relationships,” Castillo said. While being familiar with several photography techniques, designing on InDesign, and editing pictures on Photoshop, this photographer plans to apply her skills in her photographs and continue her interest. While managing the senior lifestyle, Castillo enjoys the privileges she receives as being the oldest of three. The photographer enjoys all music genres, however, Pink Martini and Coldplay are her top music choices. Not only does the senior find an interest in listening to music, she has shown her appreciation for the art by singing with a worship team for the past two years. She enjoys watching blood-gore horror films and older black and white films in her spare time. Castillo plans to make the best of her senior year and attend a junior college after graduating.