Downey athletics receive $1,000 check from Walmart Neighborhood Market

Marilyn Ramirez, Copy Editor/Co-Editor-in-Chief

January 18, 2013

On January 9, WalMart representative Sara Arroyo presents a $1,000 dollar check to Mr. Houts, at half time in the DHS gymnasium.

Following the first half of the boys varsity basketball game on Jan. 9, the Walmart Neighborhood Supermarket presented Downey athletics with a $1,000 check to support the character that sports help build in athletes.

Marketing representative Chris Melle assures that the money is intended to affect Downey athletics in a positive way; the athletics department will decide to put the money to whichever area is in need of it.

“The donation of $1,000 is a way to give back to community on a tangible level,” Athletics Director Mark Rand said. “Walmart knows the positive influence high school sports plays in building character and confidence in high school students.”

When a new Walmart Neighborhood Market opens or plans to, they hope to build a relationship with its community, presenting it with a friendly and approachable staff and store manager. Because of the recent addition to Downey-on Paramount between Alameda and Imperial-the food market asked Houts and Athletics Director Mark Rand if they could donate the generous amount.

“Mr. Houts and Mr. Rand were both instrumental in making this happen,” Melle said. “When someone calls out of the blue and asks to donate $1,000 and some promotional items to your school, it’s understandable that most people would be skeptical. However, once these gentlemen found out that Walmart Neighborhood Market was supporting 40 high schools in California and had a good professional plan, they took a shot and it worked out great! Walmart Neighborhood Market is grateful to Mr. Houts and Mr. Rand for their openness to this program.”

Walmart has sponsored various high schools over the years with their financial support; in the 2012-2013 school year alone, they plan to give $40,000 to schools in California. The market is a proud supporter of high school sports in many areas across the country.

About the Contributors

Marilyn Ramirez, Copy Editor/Co-Editor-in-Chief

For senior Marilyn Ramirez, newspaper is not only a class. No, for this young journalist, The Downey Legend is her inner voice, her happy, her passion, her future. Ramirez sets out to improve her writing ability with every new story, setting new goals for herself with the start of every deadline. She is currently the Copy Editor and Co-Editor-in-Chief on staff. She joined the online publication in order to gain experience in journalism; after studying at either UC Berkley or San Francisco State University, she is certain she will write for Time Magazine and develop a career in photojournalism. Ramirez plans on hiking through war-zones, or the jungles of Borneo in order to capture the beauty she wishes to documents. This journalist has no space in her agenda for anything less than extraordinary. When she is not writing stories or improving her photo and web layout skills, Ramirez enjoys spending time with her better half, Kyle Hudspeth. Like many others, she adores Disneyland and shopping . She might be found at her favorite drinks chain, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, reading a book or making awkward conversation with strangers. She has an unbelievable amount of positive energy, which she utilizes in a myriad of activities from school work, to staff bonding, however, it is not so obnoxious, because it is balanced out with the right amount of sarcasm. Ramirez is a fast-paced, modern girl of sorts with a dedicated disposition; she is undoubtedly heading toward great heights.

Monique Munoz, Co-Photo Editor

Soon to graduate from Downey High School, 17-year-old senior Monique Munoz is a photographer and the Co-Photo Editor for The Downey Legend. Although this is her first year shooting for The Legend, she has had a passion for photography since her sophomore year. “I always have a camera with me whether it is my Canon Rebel or my little carry around camera,” Munoz said. “I take pictures all of the time in random places, looking to capture unforgettable moments.” Her goal is to be the best photographer on The Downey Legend staff. Munoz is also a photographer for Downey’s High’s yearbook. Aside from taking pictures, she enjoys cooking, dancing, and watching basketball and football. One of her dreams for high school is to participate in the powder puff game. Munoz wants to obtain a minor in photography attending Cal State Long Beach, and she plans to finish her schooling at UCLA. Because of her love for children, her main desire is to major in the medical field and become a pediatrician. She decided this as her dream career because of how well she is with children due to constantly having to take care of her younger siblings. “I wouldn’t mind working as a photographer on my breaks and vacations from my career, because photographing is more of a passion then a job to me,” Munoz said. She also mentioned she wishes to travel the world to photograph portraits, candid and landscape photos. “No matter what it takes, I am determined to achieve all my goals and believe I am capable of accomplishing anything I want to,” Munoz said.