The new AP English class, AP Language and Composition, at Downey High School has given junior, Dianna Jimenez the opportunity to excel. Jimenez is an AP student that has a similar mindset to other AP students; she wants to push her writing capabilities further.

 

“I want to improve my writing,” Jimenez said, “not only for high school English, but for college as well.”

 

Jimenez chose to take AP Language and Composition because she wants to rectify any mistakes she has in her writing before she writes her prompt to apply to college.

 

“I chose to take AP Language and Composition because I felt with my experience in Honors 10 and the skills I developed that I would succeed in the class,” junior, Victoria Lopez said. “I like to challenge myself.”

 

Lopez and Jimenez feels comfortable in her AP class because she is surrounded by students who are passionate to learn and motivated to pursue the same goal.

 

“I like to write and I enjoyed Honors English 10 with Ms. Kasner,” junior, Andrew Bilodeau said, “so an opportunity to become a better writer in a subject I enjoy was to hard to pass up.”

 

Bilodeau has taken three years of AP/Honors English classes at Downey High School, similarly to Jimenez. AP Language and Composition includes more discussion of themes and broader concepts, making the class more interactive, rather than a traditional English class. In Bilodeau’s and Jimenez’s opinion it is a more productive learning environment.

 

Jimenez hopes to develop her writing skills on her writing because she believes writing is a central skill of everyday life and will be useful for her in the future.

 

A day at school for junior, Bruno Braka, is not like every other student’s day, as he is involved in both Yearbook and Newspaper that fill three periods within his schedule. Not only is he involved with journalism, he also finds time to play lacrosse and help out at his parents’ restaurant.

 

“I never pictured myself being this involved all I was into was lacrosse,” Braka said. “But it all changed junior year when I decided to get involved with yearbook and newspaper, and although the year is just starting out I can already see myself being a lot more busy. The great thing about it is that I’m learning to manage my time wisely.”

 

Aside from his wide involvement with extra-curricular activities, Braka takes his school work very seriously. Throughout his high school career, he has managed to keep his GPA above a 4.0, taking not only regular college prep classes, but challenging himself with rigorous AP and honors courses.

 

Leonard Braka, Bruno’s father and owner of Ricci’s Italian Restaurant, has supported him through his busy schedule.

“It’s like I see Bruno grow more and more each day,” Braka said. “He manages to help me and his mother around the restaurant and still keeps his grades up. I’m surprised he finds the time to do all that he does.”

 

 

Braka has established many connections with a variety of people throughout his three years in high school. Dale Schlegel, one of the lacrosse coaches at Downey High School, had coached Braka throughout his freshman and sophomore years at Downey.

 

“Bruno was a great kid to have on the team,” Schlegel said,” the team rallied around him. He’s a real team player.”

 

Braka wants to make a difference within his school through his participation in school. He has immersed himself within journalism because he wants to capture moments that make others proud of their school. He also wants to serve as an example to others, by getting involved within his parent’s business, sports, and journalism. He hopes other will find, that truly, anything is possible.