Nordstrom gives back

Darla Sanchez

Warren High School senior, Hilda Atunear, wins a $10,000 scholarship from Nordstrom by completing an application process and an interview to be able to stand out with her writing and personality. “When they first walked in to my classroom and said that I had won I could not believe it,” Atunear said. “I was so happy.”

Irania Quintero, Staff Writer
December 3, 2014

On Oct. 23, 2014, Warren High School senior, Hilda Atuncar, was announced as the recipient of the Nordstrom Cares $10,000 scholarship. Atuncar was one out of 80 people across the United States to receive the scholarship and to be offered an internship at the Nordstrom nearest to her [Los Cerritos Center]. Over 10,000 people submitted applications between Feb. and May, and all semi-finalists were notified of their status via email. Once all finalists were selected, they went through a video interview process that took place over Skype.

“It was a very difficult process because I’m not quirky or good with technology,” Hilda said. “Finding out that Skype was the only gateway to my outcome was hard, but the people who conducted the interview were extremely helpful.”

Atuncar showed her gratitude for the opportunity she received and for the people who were there to help her throughout the process. It was a long process, but she had a couple of influential teachers to support her and reassure her along the way. Honors English teacher Erin Ogden and French teacher Richere Breault made sure Atuncar had everything she needed to reach success in this friendly competition.

“In terms of knowing Hilda’s obligations because she is involved in a lot at school, I think she is one of those superstar people whose level of enthusiasm and motivation is always consistently high,” Breault says.

Atuncar’s extracurricular involvement and need to continually better herself is what makes her distinct amongst her classmates. Atuncar kept her priorities straight and focusing on the big prize her hard work would get her. Looking back, not only did she realize all the time and effort she put in, but her mentor did as well.

“Hilda is a go-getter and that is why I am not surprised she received this award,” Ogden stated. “She came to me with this idea of applying for the Nordstrom scholarship and I just knew she would get it because she’s such a great student and she deserves it.”

Teachers know Atuncar as someone who doesn’t give up and someone who isn’t afraid to take on a challenge. After eight months of dedication and anticipation, it became evident that one person, out of thousands, came out on top. Although Atuncar is not a fellow Viking, she is still a part of the Downey community and put Downey on the map for her recognition.

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About the Contributors

Irania Quintero, Staff Writer

As a first year staff writer, senior Irania Quintero joined The Downey Legend in search of new experiences and opportunities. “I joined Newspaper because it gives me a chance to explore and build upon my passion for writing,” Quintero said. “It is indeed a new environment for me but a challenge worth taking on.” She has a passion for writing and hopes that with being a part of the staff she’ll expand her knowledge on different writing styles, improve her own writing, and get a feel for what she plans to do in the future. “Great writing to me is writing that makes the reader feel like he or she is a part of the experience or event described,” Quintero stated. “My ultimate goal is to deliver the same feeling to readers as many writers have done for me.” As a writer for The Downey Legend, Quintero will be in charge of pitching new story ideas and meeting deadlines. The job of a writer may get stressful and tedious at times but with Quintero’s passion for writing and undeniable reliability, she’ll take this job on without the slightest of difficulty.

Aside from being a writer for The Downey Legend, Quintero enjoys writing poetry, reading books by Nicholas Sparks, watching the Angels during their baseball season, and cooking and/or baking in her spare time. She also says that her favorite music varies from John Legend, Kanye West, The XX, to different alternative bands. Quintero also shared that she’s great with puns and that she has a positive vibe about herself at all times. “There’s almost always a smile on my face no matter what my mood is,” Quintero said. After high school she plans to attend a four-year-university, her top choice being San Francisco State University, and eventually become a journalist. Quintero has the right mind set and motivation to help her accomplish her dreams and succeed in her near future as well as in her current position on The Downey Legend.

Darla Sanchez, Student Life Section Editor

As a first year staff member of The Downey Legend, photographer Darla Sanchez has many goals to make her last year at Downey High School a memorable one. Sanchez was persuaded not only by her friends to join, but also by a previous staff member. She enjoys taking photos and decided to become a photographer. “I want to capture the essence of the photo,” Sanchez said. “I want to really bring the meaning of the picture to life.” She also wants to accomplish many academic goals such as: getting better at sign language, passing her English class with a B or higher and finally graduating. Although Sanchez is nervous about senior year, she is willing to work hard to reach her goals.

During her down time, Sanchez enjoys baking. “I love to try new things, that’s why I started baking,” Sanchez said. “I love to get creative when I experiment with new desserts; it relaxes me.” Sanchez also loves listening to music. She is currently obsessed with Paramore and One Direction. She loves playing sports, especially softball and track. Sanchez is open to new things and wants her senior year to be the best. With that said she plans on not only making memories but also striving to make the best of her time here at The Downey Legend.