Character does count

Vivian Buenrostro, Co-Editor-in-Cheif

October 26, 2012

Throughout the week of Oct. 15 to Oct. 19, Downey High School’s ASB encourages students to display qualities of the six pillars of character, during Character Counts week, by plastering posters around campus. “It was hard to spread this around the student body, but even if it gets to one persons, it’s enough,” Jenifer Sicardi, 12, said.

From Oct. 15-19, Downey High School’s ASB promoted Character Counts Week by raising the spirit of the student body with walls of posters around campus. By doing this, ASB hoped to highlight the necessity of determining good character.

ASB played a significant role in this event, as the members set up posters all across the halls of Downey. The posters that caught the student body’s attention the most were the 2 twelve foot long posters on the C building. Each poster displayed the six pillars of character: responsibility, fairness, caring, trustworthiness, citizenship, and respect.

“It’s something that everybody knows about, but this week was dedicated to just those six pillars,” Jennifer Sicardi, 12 said.

Sicardi is an ASB member that was put in charge of this week’s events along with the help of her assistant Selena Dolmuz, 12.

Another selfless act of kindness ASB did was giving out hand made goodie bags to students with special needs to show that a small act of selfless generosity goes a long way.

“Our plans to involve and raise awareness to the entire student body weren’t as successful as we had hoped, but even it gets to one person, it still means something,” Dolmuz, 12 said.

Although involvement amongst the students’ was limited, some teachers still had strong opinions for Character Counts Week. Football coach and substitute teacher Mr. Ward had much to say towards the six pillars and what they stand for.

“Personally, I think it’s great that our school helps guide and socially advocate the students towards good character,” Ward said.

Most students remember Character Counts Week from their adolescent days, and although it has many different meanings, it’s overall purpose is to spread the word of obtaining good character within yourself.

About the Contributors

Vivian Buenrostro, Co-Editor-in-Cheif

Senior Vivian Buenrostro is not only a writer for The Downey Legend online newspaper, but has also taken on the responsibility of Co-Editor-In-Chief. Having been a part of the newspaper staff since her sophomore year, she has experience with the different positions and has even held the positions of Arts and Entertainment Section Editor and Song of the Week Editor. “Newspaper has been one awesome ride these past three years,” Buenrostro said. “I’ve learned skills that are applicable to everything and anything.” Although Co-Editor-In-Chief is a tough and tedious job, Buenrostro is ready to take on the challenge. Throughout this year on staff she hopes to build a close bond with all of the staff members and have productive deadlines. When she is not running the staff or writing stories, Buenrostro enjoys jogs around her neighborhood, making healthy shakes and other concoctions, or swimming in the waves at Huntington Beach. “Time doesn’t really exist when I’m in the ocean,” Buenrostro said. Buenrostro also loves live music; she has been to various concerts including Young the Giant, Arctic Monkeys, and Walk the Moon. Buenrostro plans to graduate and attend an out of state school far from California. “As much as I love Downey High,” Buenrostro said, “I can’t wait to go to college in a new environment.” While away at college she hopes to major in biology and medicine to start her path towards her career goal of being a doctor. Buenrostro aims to make her final year at Downey High School rewarding in both her academics and her position on The Downey Legend staff.

Alexandra Menendez, Photographer

Returner Alexandra Menendez took up photography for The Downey Legend her junior year. Since the purchase of her first camera as a mere 6^th grader, photography has been a point of interest for the 17 year old; the school newspaper is just one on a long list of creative outlets she uses to express her photography skills. “I like having the ability to capture a memory before it’s gone forever.” Menendez says. Outside of campus, she refines her skills through photo-shoots with her friends and sister along the railroad tracks and otherwise simple backdrops. She plans on enrolling at San Francisco State and studying to be a professional photographer, but if all else fails, she aspires to at least be a qualified teacher. Currently, she is attending the ROP class Principles in Education to guide her into being the ideal photography instructor she aims to be. The soft-spoken Menendez lives her life to the fullest of its potential each and every day. She is a proud film enthusiast, lover of Asian cuisine, and self-proclaimed introvert – though she claims to enjoy wasting away the weekends with her friends. Nonetheless, rather than having a traditional quinceñera with the spotlight on her, Menendez chose to travel Europe alone. “I’ve always wanted to go, just to see new places I’d never seen before.” Menendez says. “I wanted something new. She still longs to travel the rest of the world – all the while, documenting her trips through a camera lens. A small girl, Menendez has big dreams ahead of herself.