Electing for the next school year

Joey Flores, News Editor

March 29, 2013

Stopping by the ASB window, Selena Corral, 11, casts her vote for the 2013-2014 ASB Student Council during A lunch. “I helped a friend of mine out by spreading the word on Twitter and Instagram because I feel he would be a great candidate for ASB,” Corral said

With three months until the end of the year, the next round of elections for ASB positions for the 2013-2014 school year took place from March 26 to March 28.

The candidates are competing not only for the titles, but also for the responsibility over issues they would like to change. Jerry Rivas, 11, is one of those who would like to see modifications.

“I’ve been in ASB since freshman year,” Rivas said, “and I love it, so I’d like to come back. I just feel like since I have all that experience, then I should run because I think experience is best.”

Rivas is running for the vice president position against Marjan Abubo, 11, and has campaigned by getting support from other students both through face to face conversations and social networking. His campaign against Abubo, who is another member with experience in ASB, is moving along through the self promotion of giving out pins, cards, flags, and by putting up posters. The race for vice president is almost as tight as the race for junior class president and vice president.

Julia Fanua, 10, and her running mate, sophomore Eleni Makaafi, are competing to be heads of their future junior class against two other pairs.

“I decided to run because I was inspired by the many ASB students,” Fanua said. “I want to be a role model that students can turn to. I want to help lead Downey High with not only my ideas, but also with the creative ideas of the many unique Vikings at Downey.”

Fanua and her running mate are new to the ASB setting, and they’d like to get as many votes as possible to show the school what they’ve got. For the junior class, they wish to raise over $1,200 by not only selling shirts as done in the past, but also by creating fun events that will reward participants with a prize. Makaafi and Fanua are competing against sophomores Raul Varela and Lizeth Romero, and Andrew Sanchez, 10, with Amy Caro, 10.

Competition is not fierce in all positions, however. Candidates going unopposed are Priscilla Rolon, 10, for secretary and freshmen Catherine Ham and Carlos Agredano, who are running for president and vice president of the future sophomore class.

Though those Vikes are lucky enough to have an almost guaranteed spot, students also like to see competition. Junior Gregory Watson is one of those students.

“I like how they campaigned and fought for the top spot,” Watson said. “It’s pretty cool that they were actually trying to win. It’s interesting to see to me.”

Watson was one of many who lined up to vote for their next school board. On the first day of voting, about twenty other people tried to submit their votes in one lunch. Watson also said that

he along with other students, were there to show their support for the candidates that they knew personally.

The races are moving along, and the underclassmen of Downey High School are eager to see which Vikes will represent their school on ASB for the next year.

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.

Bianca Salgado, Community Editor

As the new school year begins, The Downey Legend has acquired a range of new assets to the team. Bianca Salgado, 12, is the new Community Editor and photographer. Salgado hopes to improve her photography as well as being more involved in the community. “I hope to be a positive asset to the team and successful in what I am taking on,” Salgado 12, said. Besides participating in the online publication, she enjoys the arts. The senior enjoys singing and drawing in her spare time and aspires to one day become a singer. Anime is her favorite type of drawing because it is different and harder to do than regular cartoons. Besides singing and drawing, she hopes to attend USC after high school and major in law to eventually become a lawyer. From photography to law, Salgado hopes to make her last year in high school a successful one in all ranges.