As he starts his first year of newspaper, Allen Morales, 12, joins as a writer. Morales has accomplished a lot throughout his highschool life, but one of his favorite memories is receiving the Downey Highschool Art and Photo Show Award. When speaking on his future, he’s not sure whether to pursue Environmental Engineering or International Relations, but he is passionate about both paths and plans on taking the best route towards either outcome. Morales has set his mind on UCLA not just because it’s a great school, but also because he liked the look and feel of the school. While he’s not in school, Morales enjoys playing video games, playing with his dog, Toby, and planewatching. Morales’s role models are his parents, and especially his dad for his success in moving to America from El Salvador, and overcoming lots of hardships and becoming a lawyer.

“Having come from like a country where you don’t know the language of the country you’re now living in is difficult, like it’s very different from El Salvador…and having to adjust,” Morales said,  “but yea I really admire my dad and my mom.”