Oh, it’s definitely a rush!

Heidi Castillo

On Wed., Feb. 26, president of Bible Club, Francisco Porra, 12, hands out flyers to students who pass by the club table during club rush. Bible Club handed out Jolly Ranchers to those who signed up for the club.

Noemi Lozano, Copy Editor
March 10, 2014

On Wed., Feb. 26, clubs held their semi-annual Club Rush event. This event, done every semester, is a way to promote clubs and activities on campus.

Key Club, Fashion Club, and Interact Club, along with many others, set out their tables filled with flyers, buttons, stickers, and new member registry. Students swarmed around the quad to see what the different clubs had to offer them.

Participating in Club Rush for the first time was the S.W.A.P. Students With A Plan is a new group created and run by 3 Downey students: Raeyvenne Parker, Salma Marquez, and Nick Hernandez. These students began their club in order to inform their fellow peers about their futures after high school. The club members discuss requirements for both college and universities as well as participate in workshops to experiment careers that may interest them.

Junior Nick Hernandez, the S.W.A.P. club treasurer, found interest in the group because of his curiosity about college.

“The S.W.A.P. club really attracted me because I know that sometimes it can all be so confusing and this club really helps with staying informed on what is needed and what I can do to help my future,” Hernandez said. “And anyone is free to join our S.W.A.P. meets.”

Another club that received attention was the H.O.P.E club. Helping Other People Everywhere is a group of students who give back to their community by doing volunteer work around the city of Downey. They conduct volunteer time that is also appealing and exciting to the students. They’ve volunteered at interesting places, such as the bunny rescue shelter in the City of Hawthorne.

Kevin Perez, a H.O.P.E club member, joined the club soon after his friends did, and has attended every meeting since.

“I expected the club to be girly; it just sounds so girly: H.O.P.E club,” Perez said. “But it’s actually really cool. We get to volunteer and we meet some really interesting people.”

According to club leaders, this semester’s Club Rush’s main audience were freshmen.

Freshman Alexander Garcia experienced Club Rush for the first time this semester and was surprised at the outcome.

“I didn’t think that many people would be so eager to join a club,” Garcia said. “The stage area was so crowded; it looked like a swarm of ants.”

A variety of clubs are offered at Downey High and Club Rush is a way for students to make new friends while trying something new.

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About the Contributors

Noemi Lozano, Copy Editor

Senior Noemi Lozano will be part of The Downey Legend for her second year as copy editor by taking on the responsibility of making important documents needed to have a successful deadline. She first heard about The Downey Legend from a photographer her sophomore year and joined her junior year where it really helped her become more social. “Freshmen year I was really shy and now I can’t stop talking,” Lozano said. She is a big people person but one of her biggest pet peeves is when people say her name wrong or mistakenly call her Naomi.

One of Lozano’s favorite shows is Orange is the New Black. During her free time she listens to her favorite artist Kid Cudi .One of Lozano’s goals is to move to San Francisco. “I just want to get away from here and explore,” Lozano said. Another goal of hers would be working with kids, because she wants to follow in her older sisters’ footsteps: one is 25 years old and teaches children with special needs, and the other is a 28 years old speech therapist.

Heidi Castillo, Photographer

Heidi Castillo, photographer for The Downey Legend joined the staff to get involved during her last year of high school as well as express her love for photography. Castillo did not hesitate to join the staff, feeling she would enjoy the experience despite the sometimes hectic environment. Being a member of the online newspaper will not only help Castillo expand her photographer skills, it will also provide an opportunity to bond with her fellow peers. “I think it is a great way to meet new people and build relationships,” Castillo said. While being familiar with several photography techniques, designing on InDesign, and editing pictures on Photoshop, this photographer plans to apply her skills in her photographs and continue her interest.

While managing the senior lifestyle, Castillo enjoys the privileges she receives as being the oldest of three. The photographer enjoys all music genres, however, Pink Martini and Coldplay are her top music choices. Not only does the senior find an interest in listening to music, she has shown her appreciation for the art by singing with a worship team for the past two years. She enjoys watching blood-gore horror films and older black and white films in her spare time. Castillo plans to make the best of her senior year and attend a junior college after graduating.