Vanessa Carrillo, Co-Editor-in-Chief
Co-Editor in Chief, Vannesa Carrillo, 12, has been part of Downey High School’s Newspaper, The Downey Legend, for the past 2 years. Carrillo has also been part of the Downey Viking’s girls wrestling team since freshman year and wishes to end her last season off strong. As a dependable soul, she spends every lunch with the special needs students in hopes of pursuing a career in teaching the disabled.
As a frequent aid to those with special needs Carrillo has made it her life mission to help those in need. “I help the students with severe developmental issues,” Carrillo stated. “I help feed them. I read to them. I sing to them and I do arts and crafts with them.”
Enrique Jimenez, Podcaster
Finishing his last year strong, Podcast Manager, Enrique Jimenez,12, has been part of Downey High School’s newspaper, The Downey Legend, for his 2nd year now. With his goofy sense of humor he’s published numerous podcasts that always showcase a positive and light hearted attitude. Besides podcast, Jimenez has been part of Downey High’s soccer team for three years now, and enjoys how he shows his true self on the field with his teammates when playin
Having podcast skills, Jimenez purses to be involved in the Television Industry. Jimenez enjoys spreading news in his own unique way for others to be informed.“I always like news and it’s something I see myself fitting into.” Jimenez stated. Being an outgoing person he enjoys listening to others and giving advice back. Jimenez desires for others to be informed about news and him giving that information., like talking about it and giving his opinions on it. “ I like to know what’s going on and I like to make other people aware of it,” Jimenez stated.
Michelle Salinas, Videographer
With strengths in design and a passion for video, Michelle Salinas, 12, hopes to show what she’s made of during her time at the Downey Legend. “I want to change something,” Salinas said. “I want to show what just a high schooler can do.”
While me and Michelle Salinas were both newcomers to the Downey Legend at the beginning of this year, our similarities seemingly ended there. She was outgoing, funny, and friendly where I was shy, quiet, and reserved. Despite this, she jumped at the chance to write my staff bio and in the process, became the first friend I ever made in newspaper.
As a videographer, her job has been to capture the various going ons of students on campus, but she does so much more than that. Michelle uses her role at The Downey Legend to bring the staff together. No matter how tired and jaded one might become from working on deadline after deadline, starring in one of Michelle’s videos is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. To this day, I still have vivid memories of Michelle filming my very poor attempt at the Bird Box challenge in the pouring rain.
As Michelle’s time in The Downey Legend comes to an end, the publication will be forced to say goodbye a vital glue that helped bring the staff together. No matter how gifted at their craft future videographers may be, they will always be in the massive shadow cast by Michelle Salinas.
-Lukas Luna