Having fun with back-to-school

Sara Cabrera, Writer/ Copy Editor

October 9, 2012

Water polo parents gather around the booster club table at Back-to-School Night, on Sept. 20, 2012, to try and gain more support for their sport. This is the first time that water polo has had a table at Back-to-School Night.

Downey High School’s annual Back-to-School Night on Wednesday, Sept. 19 was successful, as parents were well informed, got a firsthand look at their children’s classrooms and learned what will be expected of them throughout the school year. There was also plenty of delicious food and entertainment. Because students and parents agreed that this year’s Back to School night was the best one yet, it was more entertaining and informative than the previous years. There were also more student booths, which contained different goodies and sweets to reel people to the club that was being promoted.

“It was a different, nice and good environment for the family to come,” Patty Ruiz, mother of Justin Ruiz said. “I wish my daughter would have come, but she stayed home doing homework.”

Three catering trucks supplied many different types of food at this event. The trucks had everything ranging from apple fries to crabby patties. Because the food was so popular, they ran out of certain choices before the night was over.

“The food is great I am surprised to see all of the catering trucks here,” Michelle Gonzalez, mother of Ashley Gonzalez, said.

Santa Alejos, mother of juniors Jazmin and Jaqueline and sophomore Jocelyn Alejos, contributed by making a dinosaur costume for this school event. Mr. Gaytan, whom she has known for many years, is very involved in the community as one of the leaders of KIWIN’S club and as a substitute teacher. Alejos likes to collaborate with him on what she can do for the school and the community and how she can get involved to help.

“I want to show support for the values of teaching and to collaborate with whatever I can,” Mrs. Alejos said. ‘Maybe not economically, but if I can use my ability to do other things, even if it takes a little time, it is a good example for my children and other adolescents. I’m very proud to be a part of this school.”

Part of the entertainment was Kar Kar the dinosaur who was dancing, taking pictures and mingling with students and parents. Kar Kar is actually a fellow student Eduardo Munoz and he is also the mascot for the KIWIN’S club.

“Being the mascot was an experience I will never forget,” Munoz said. “It was fun being the center of attention for the night and dancing with everyone.”

Overall the night was a positive experience for those who attended and a successful way to kick off the new school year.

About the Contributors

Sara Cabrera, Writer/ Copy Editor

Sara Cabrera, a current senior, is an optimistic writer for The Downey Legend. For Cabrera, journalism is not just a hobby or a class; it’s a passion and a future career. According to Cabrera, she started her sophomore year, yet to discover her writing talent. It was Mrs. Stratford, her sophomore English teacher, who recommended her to join The Downey Legend. “I was a bit intimidated about the whole thing at first,” Cabrera said. After some time to think and a few pushes from Mrs. Stratford, Cabrera made the decision to join. “It was the greatest choice I ever made,” Cabrera said. Cabrera not only dedicates most of her time to writing for the online newspaper, she also enjoys dancing at a very popular dance studio: Santa Fe Springs Performing Arts Center. Her dancing skills helped her make the Downey High School Dance team for the 2013-2014 school year. With motivation to major in journalism and minor in dance, her dream is to travel around the world for six months after she graduates from a college somewhere in the east coast. She also plans to get a part time job as an interpreter, because she is fluent in sign language. Cabrera’s goal this year as a writer is to make The Downey Legend more popular and known to the students at Downey High.

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.