En route to the SAT

Mizhelle Cortes, Writer/ Business Team

January 22, 2014

Sophomores, juniors, and parents attend an informative meeting, on Jan. 8, at the Downey High School theater, in order to understand PSAT scores. The purpose of the meeting was to inform parents and students how to improve their SAT scores.

On Thursday, Jan. 10, parents and students arrived at the Downey High School theatre to review their test scores after taking the Kaplan administered Preliminary SAT in Oct.

The representative from Kaplan started the meeting off handing out raffle tickets to parents, while students picked up their test scores from the counselors. Students reviwed their paperwork, while the representative prepared the slideshow.

Mrs. Sanders, the counselor, expressed her opinion on the importance of students taking the PSAT.

“It is very important because it is a trial run for the actual SAT,” Sanders said. “It is a good indicator as to how a student will do on the SAT. If students use the results, then the PSAT will actually give them hand-tailored study guides telling them how to improve and what to study for when they actually take the SAT. It is very valuable.”

The PowerPoint presentation consisted of slides dealing with how the PSAT is scored, comparisons of the PSAT and SAT, and a college prep timeline primarily geared towards juniors. One of the reasons to take the PSAT, as stated by the representative is to improve a student’s score. It also provides practices and can offer possible scholarships, such as the National Merit Scholarship.

Parents, such as Veronica Gutierrez, attended the meeting to help understand their child’s performance on the test.

“I wanted my son to take the test because I wanted to know where he stands. The PSAT really helped,” Gutierrez said.

Students’ score packets included a review of their answers, skills, and raw scores. Whether students were satisfied with their scores or not, the PSAT information meeting helped alleviate concerns for unanswered questions. Test takers, like Jose Arroyo, listened to the class options information in order to take sessions to improve and prepare for the SAT.

“I decided to take the test for obvious reasons like helping me for the SAT,” junior Arroyo said. “I’m planning on taking an online course to improve my score.”

Students take the initiative to become academically successful by completing the PSAT.

About the Contributors

Mizhelle Cortes, Writer/ Business Team

Mizhelle Cortes has been seeking an extra curricular activity her first three years of high school, but as a senior, she feels she has discovered her passion as a writer and business manager for The Downey Legend. “It makes me feel special that other students will read my work,” Cortes said. “I can provide unheard stories from students and staff.” Since Cortes is planning to pursue a business career, she is pleased to be part of the financial support of the online newspaper. Despite her overwhelming schedule with honors courses, Cortes is glad to take a break and write school news. She anticipates improving as a journalist and meeting all those interesting students hidden in the school campus. Cortes finds pleasure in reading realistic fiction novels, particularly those by the author Joyce Oates. Oates has inspired Cortes to have a voice of her own and experiment with her writing by using imagination and unique qualities. In her free time, she enjoys watching scary movies with her friends and tasting the variety of yogurt flavors from YogurtLand. This vehement writer aspires to attend UC Berkeley after her senior year and pursued the careers of business and fashion. Cortes feels UC Berkeley is her dream school since it is far from home, which allows her to gain more independence and dorm in such a beautiful campus. After finding her dream job, she wishes to form a family and settle in The Golden State, in order to stay close to her family. Another of her future goals is to travel the world, specially the Philippines to visit her family. With all her determination, Cortes wishes to accomplish all the goals she sets in live, maintaining her passion for writing through out her adventures.

Gissel Enriquez, Photographer

Continuing her passion for photography, senior Gissel Enriquez joins The Downey Legend for her second year with hopes of contributing newsworthy events for the 2013-2014 school year. As a photographer, her interest sparked from the first moment she captured a photo as an eight-year-old child. “It’s amazing how you can take a picture and it brings thousands of memories with just one shot,” Enriquez said. “I just have a passion for photography.” Her enthusiasm for photography is evident as she decides to improve her skills and learn new things from the newspaper staff. Her junior year at The Downey Legend has enabled her to expand her knowledge and alleviate the stress from honors and AP classes. This aspiring photographer joined in order to capture the daily moments of high school and bring awareness to the online newspaper. Since joining the team, she has gained confidence in herself as well as in her art. With her goals set high and hardworking mindset, Enriquez is sure to dedicate her time with the aim of succeeding as a member of the online newspaper and as a Downey High School student. While photography remains one her favorite hobbies, she also enjoys roller skating around her neighborhood and constantly listening to bands like The Smiths. Enriquez loves spending time with her family, especially her best friends: Yasmin Alvizures and Joy Eskander, and going to Yogurtland on her free time. With her future set, this outgoing photographer plans to travel around the world after graduating from a four year university. Wherever her journey leads her, her passion for photography will remain at heart.