Five Questions with Regina Leedy

Joey Flores, News Editor

March 27, 2013

Four-year ceramics student Regina Leedy, 12, has fallen in love with sculpting and the creativity that comes along with it.

Q1: Why did you choose to stay in the class for four years?

A1: Well really, it was like, you know how there’s some teachers that you don’t really like and there’s some that you really love that will sit there and talk to you and help you through things? Well she [Vivian Durkee] is that teacher for me. I love staying in the class, and I’ve even helped her come up with projects in the past, so it’s fun.

Q2: What inspired you to take the class in the first place?

A2: At first it was just the way my counselor explained it. He was just kind of listing a bunch of classes that were available to take, and I decided on ceramics. It’s a good thing I chose that because I ended up really, really loving it. I don’t regret choosing it at all.

Q3: Your class is working on a teapot project. Why did you decide to make an elephant teapot?

A3: It was just because one day I was just playing around with clay, I hadn’t sketched anything out like you’re supposed to, so I was just kind of like, ‘Well…there’s one leg, Oh look, there’s another leg.’ you know, so I just went along with it.

Q4: Do you like to sculpt in your free time?

A4: I would definitely like to, but I’m all around an artistic person, so I don’t just limit myself to one art. Like last year, I was the art director for the spring play: Starmites, so the comical backdrops were all me, and the designs and stuff were all my team and I.

Q5: Would you pursue a future in ceramics?

A5: If I could find someone to pay me or anything like that, I definitely would. The only thing is that, as much as I love it, ceramics isn’t really practical. I would pursue a career in interior design or architecture, but I think a ceramics career would be a little hard [to achieve]. As much as I love sculpting, it’s one of the many arts that is hard to work for.

About the Contributors

Joey Flores, News Editor

Joey Flores is a 14-year-old sophomore at Downey High as well as a writer and News Editor for The Downey Legend. Flores chose to join the 2012-2013 staff because he wants to gain experience in journalism, since he aspires to work for Details or Rolling Stone magazine. He plans to attend the University of Oxford or NYU. “I have a minor obsession with the U.K.,” Flores said when asked why he wanted to attend the University of Oxford. He admitted that he will miss his friends and family when he’s away for college, although he won’t be missing the California weather. The News Editor always preferred English over any other subject. “When I was younger I always preferred English because I felt that I had the freedom when it came to creative writing,” Flores said. Along with being on the newspaper, he is also taking Honors English 10, which will help enhance his writing skills. Flores’ main goals are to fulfill everything that comes his way and to come up with interesting stories that will receive multiple views. The staff member enjoys listening to indie and alternative rock. He is a big fan of the 80s band, The Smiths. Flores loves doing community service and is a member of the Key Club. The News Editor enjoys helping others and wants to help “beautify the community.” Flores has volunteered at recovery centers, like Rancho Los Amigos. He participated in a carnival for the disabled patients at the RLARC. “It was very eye-opening because you realize that they are incapable of doing much, but they never give up,” he said. Although Flores has a lot on his plate- being The Downey Legend’s News Editor, volunteering at rehabilitation centers, and succeeding in AP European History and Honors English 10- he will manage to stay on top of everything and make his sophomore year a memorable one.

Cindy Macias, Photographer/Co-Photo Editor

For senior Cindy Macias, The Downey Legend is not just a newspaper; it is a place to show her photographs to the world. This photographer likes to take candid shots because she is able to capture the beauty of the moment and frame it in time. Macias is not only in newspaper, she is also juggling Yearbook along with her regular classes. She hopes to become proactive, less of a procrastinator, get straight As, be more organized, and improve her academic vocabulary throughout the year. She plans to study liberal arts at either UC Irvine or UCLA, but does not plan on dorming on campus because of the filth. Over the summer, Macias gained work experience while interning for Prestige Portraits, a company that specifically takes professional high school senior portraits. Her work involved secretary-like duties, such as calling for reminders and filing papers. When she is not taking photos, she is at the mall shopping for the latest styles at Pac Sun, one of her favorite stores. Macias walks around her neighborhood to ponder over her life. Her friends admire her sense of forwardness, personality, listening skills, and great advice. Macias makes her friends a priority. “The more you don’t see the person, the connection really isn’t there”, she stated. She started photography in the seventh grade, at Davis Middle School, and she has been taking pictures ever since, because photography challenges her to become better. Her personality, work ethic, and perseverance are all aspects that allow Macias to be an extraordinary photographer.