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The School Newspaper of Downey High School

The Downey Legend

The School Newspaper of Downey High School

The Downey Legend

The School Newspaper of Downey High School

The Downey Legend

Hanna Suarez

Hanna Suarez, Editor-in-Chief

Hanna Suarez, Editor-in-Chief of The Downey Legend, stepped into the world of journalism as a junior, as she carried on the challenge of the Arts and Entertainment Editor as her first position. The young writer was hesitant when first applying to join the staff, and doubts of acceptance crossed her mind. “I was kind of scared to join,” Suarez said “I didn’t think I would be much good.” Nonetheless, the hopeful student took the risk and was happy when she received the news of being selected as A&E Editor. She quickly adapted to the hectic environment and filled the newspaper room with her humor, as well as adding a sense of warmth and kindness. After successfully filling her section editor position, Suarez did not fret when the opportunity of E.I.C. was presented to her. She quickly grabbed the new title, and felt confident taking on the new role that was attached to more responsibilities. “I felt capable of handling the job well,” Suarez said. The leader was comfortable being promoted to a more prestigious position, and held her ground.

 

While college years are ahead of her, the student is savoring the moments she has left in high school, taking in her senior year and trying to make the most of it. The Downey Legend editor is an active member in the school marching band, playing the clarinet and euphonium. The senior also enjoys spending time reading while having 3rd Street Coffee in hand, and listening to indie bands and artists such as The xx and Lana del Ray.

 

Once she graduates, the ambitious writer hopes to build a successful career as E.I.C. of her own magazine, making newspaper a foundation for her future endeavors. She anticipates stepping foot into the real world, attending the USC Annenberg School of Communications or FIDM. The young and talented individual has prospered as a writer and leader; providing the staff with a model of success, she leaves big shoes to fill.

 

All content by Hanna Suarez
Mr. Witkin talks about his plans for next year’s lacrosse team, because he is currently stepping down as varsity coach and to focus more on the JV players. “I’m going to try to develop the JV players so they can be ready for varsity,” Witkin said.

From coach to father

Hanna Suarez, Editor-in-Chief
June 14, 2013
Six years since its implementation, athletic director Mark Rand addresses friends and families in celebration of the student athletes who are participating in sports in college, at the Athlete Signing Party on May 30. “We started with only six kids going off to college playing sports, and now we’re at eighteen,” Rand said. “That just shows the improvement we’ve had in our athletics.”

The very best

Hanna Suarez, Editor-in-Chief
June 7, 2013
After fiancé Kevin Miller proposed to math teacher Ms. Michelle Gunderson on May 10, at the Dodger Stadium, the couple plans to have their wedding next summer. The proposal was recorded on the Kiss Cam for the entire stadium to watch.

The grand proposal

Norma Flores, Sports Editor
May 31, 2013
Starting Monday, April 1, Dr. John Garcia takes over as the new Downey Unified School District Superintendent. Garcia went to Carpenter Elementary School, South (now Sussman) Middle School, and is a 1985 graduate of Downey High School.

To support the students

Hanna Suarez, Editor-in-Chief
May 14, 2013
On April 12, Mario Galvan, 12, and brother, shaves Mr. Zegarra and Mr. Houts hair off in front of the entire student body at the Allen Lane Stadium. “Our wife’s don’t know about this,” Zegarra said, “but they will know once we get home.”

A season of accomplishments

Norma Flores, Sports Editor
April 16, 2013
While dealing with life as a senior, Miguel Lozano takes on an extracurricular activity by working at Disneyland to make money. Lozano will start his training to operate rides on April 13.

Taking on the job

Hanna Suarez, Editor-in-Chief
March 29, 2013
The annual plant sale held on March 16 by Downey high school Botany classes gave members of the community the opportunity to purchase their plants in the front parking lot. Mr. Pittengers Botany class began cultivating the plants in early Sept.  2012.

[Photo] It started with a seed

Marilyn Ramirez, Copy Editor/Co-Editor-in-Chief
March 29, 2013
One of three hand offs is made by Ismael Guerrero,12, to Anthony Bravo,11, for the second leg of the boys 4x4 relay race on Mar. 27, at Paramount High School. "This is one of the biggest league meets of the year,” Bravo said, “and it all comes down to the four by four."

The fantastic four

Norma Flores, Sports Editor
March 29, 2013
In attempts to help bring in more donations for Relay for Life, math teacher Eric Bradfield and his band, DTC, perform during both lunches on Thur March 21, in the gym.  The band performed a series of grunge songs including works originally by Nirvana and Pearl Jam.

[Photo] Rocking out for Relay for Life

Rodas Hailu, Co-Editor-in-Chief
March 29, 2013
At the varsity lacrosse game vs. Palos Verdes on March 4, captain Nick Farina, 12, defends the ball from the opponent, making a goal. “Over forty different colleges have scouted me this year,” Farina said. “I have decided to go to Adam State in Alamosa, Colorado.”

It is in your blood

Norma Flores, Sports Editor
March 18, 2013
On Friday, March 1, senior, Mario Galvan shares his story about battling cancer during the March Madness fundraiser for Relay for Life. Galvan was Homecoming King and a member of the varsity football and varsity soccer teams.

Finding a cure together

Norma Flores, Sports Editor
March 15, 2013
On Feb. 21, guest speaker, Esperanza, waits in the theatre to discuss her father’s survival during the Holocaust.  “My father helped the Jewish people change their names, because he too had 10 passports with multiple names,” Esperanza said.

Keeping the story alive

Hanna Suarez, Editor-in-Chief
February 25, 2013
Finishing up the last part of the rally stage mural after school on Feb. 6, art teachers Ms. Puente and Ms. Carbajal-Guzman add white to emphasize the final line of “Where character counts”. Having people within the Downey community paint the rally stage saved money, rather than hiring an artist outside of Downey High School.

A fresh coat

Hanna Suarez, Editor-in-Chief
February 14, 2013
At Stay Gallery, on February 8, Downey residents are able to view photographer J. Arthur Morris first collections of photos.  The gallery also plans to show his other collections within several months.

For the love of the arts

Norma Flores, Sports Editor
February 14, 2013
During second period block, new coach for girl’s lacrosse, Mr. Mires, gives a lecture to the team on the field, in order to see that they are doing well academically. “If they cannot perform in class, then they cannot do their assignments on the field,” Mr. Mires said.

Making a better team

Hanna Suarez, Editor-in-Chief
January 30, 2013

Living for those lost

Hanna Suarez, Editor-in-Chief
December 21, 2012
A lose ball of a counter attack sends Olivia Aguirre, 11, Alex Perez, 10, and Meghan Nevarez, 12, to try to regain possession of the ball as they take on the Whittier High School Cardinals in the Downey Aquatics Center on Dec. 11. The lady vikes kept their winning strike, as the final score was 11-9.

A continuous momentum

Norma Flores, Sports Editor
December 21, 2012
In November, in front of Downey City Hall, a new statue is resurrected as a veteran’s memorial. On every corner around the statue there is a plaque of each department of the military to represent the Navy, Marines, Army, and Air Force.

Remembering the veterans

Hanna Suarez, Editor-in-Chief
December 7, 2012
On Saturday, Nov. 10, Joy Miley, 12, helps the varsity volleyball team score against Los Osos High School, in Rancho Cucamonga, during their second round of CIF. The Vikings lost 0-3 and did not make it to the third round of CIF.

Fall sports take it all

Norma Flores, Sports Editor
November 15, 2012
Taking a side

Taking a side

Hanna Suarez, Editor-in-Chief
November 6, 2012
By dressing up as the couple from the movie Juno, on Oct. 31, juniors Eric Lopez and Bernice Juarez win the Halloween costume contest, held on the rally stage, during A-lunch.   At B-lunch junior Jonathan Moreno won the costume contest as a ratchet.

Ghouls and gals

Hanna Suarez, Editor-in-Chief
November 1, 2012
Queens of the court

Queens of the court

Hanna Suarez, Editor-in-Chief
October 30, 2012
Candles, flowers and a poster are placed in front of the Cleta St. residence to pay tribute to Susana Perez, the mother who was killed, on Wednesday, Oct. 24. Suspect Jade Douglas is currently being held in suspicion of the crime.

[Photo] Tragedy on Cleta Street

Kaylee Camacho, Public Relations Manager
October 29, 2012
Mr. and Mrs. Gunderson stand on the field in front of the football team as they practice after school on October 22, 2012, in preparation for the homecoming game. Mr. Gunderson attends all home games and nearly every away game.

Number one fan

Hanna Suarez, Editor-in-Chief
October 26, 2012
As the last pre-season game starts, on Friday, September 21, the varsity football team shows unity as they enter the Allen Lane Stadium with locked arms. The team’s recent 3 to 2 wins, have them optimistic for a victory in the up coming match against Warren.

Vikings regain momentum

Hanna Suarez, Editor-in-Chief
October 9, 2012
At the Downey High Club Rush, Eduardo Munoz,11, disguised as a green and purple dinosaur, dances to “YMCA” with his fellow Juniors Yasmeen Delatorre, Rigoberto Chavez, Arnold Gonzalez, and Aaron Sanchez. “It was really fun! I enjoyed the moment,” Munoz stated. “It was super hot and sweaty inside the dinosaur suit, but it was worth it.”

Finding common interests

Norma Flores, Sports Editor
October 9, 2012
On Sept. 10, 2012, the London band The xx releases their second studio album Coexist. “I like a lot of their songs equally,” Debbie Miranda,12, said. “They have a unique tone in their music.”

Learning to coexist

Hanna Suarez, Editor-in-Chief
October 9, 2012
Moments before the beginning of the Downey vs. Warren Dig Pink volleyball game, on Sept. 27 in the gym, the Lady Vikes come together for their ritual huddle. Throughout the years, the team has been able to raise a total of $17,000 in support for finding a cure for breast cancer.

[Photo] Spreading pink beyond the campus

Marilyn Ramirez, Copy Editor/Co-Editor-in-Chief
October 9, 2012
One drop at a time

One drop at a time

Hanna Suarez, Editor-in-Chief
June 21, 2012
Subtle Summer

Subtle Summer

Hanna Suarez, Editor-in-Chief
June 21, 2012
The final season

The final season

Norma Flores, Sports Editor
June 15, 2012

Playing with Bloody Mary

Hanna Suarez, Editor-in-Chief
June 11, 2012
Serving up appreciation

Serving up appreciation

Hanna Suarez, Editor-in-Chief
June 1, 2012

Five Questions with Sarai Lopez

Hanna Suarez, Editor-in-Chief
June 1, 2012

Divas and diamonds

Hanna Suarez, Editor-in-Chief
May 16, 2012
Executing all the right plans

Executing all the right plans

Hanna Suarez, Editor-in-Chief
May 11, 2012
The Lucky One Movie Review

The Lucky One Movie Review

Hanna Suarez, Editor-in-Chief
April 25, 2012

Strumming chords for success

Hanna Suarez, Editor-in-Chief
April 6, 2012

Varsity swim crush the Lancers

Norma Flores, Sports Editor
April 3, 2012

Small talk and loud music

Hanna Suarez, Editor-in-Chief
April 2, 2012

Taking steps forward

Hanna Suarez, Editor-in-Chief
March 21, 2012

Changing up the schedule

Hanna Suarez, Editor-in-Chief
March 21, 2012

Soothing listeners to sleep

Hanna Suarez, Editor-in-Chief
March 20, 2012

Scoring the final shot

Hanna Suarez, Editor-in-Chief
February 29, 2012

Keeping the excitement flowing

Hanna Suarez, Editor-in-Chief
February 10, 2012

Listening to both hearts

Hanna Suarez, Editor-in-Chief
February 10, 2012
Hungry for action

Hungry for action

Hanna Suarez, Editor-in-Chief
January 22, 2012
Changing the channel on life

Changing the channel on life

Hanna Suarez, Editor-in-Chief
January 22, 2012

Big beats and heartaches

Hanna Suarez, Editor-in-Chief
January 20, 2012
Stayin' fresh

Stayin’ fresh

Hanna Suarez, Editor-in-Chief
December 16, 2011
Celebrating Literature

Celebrating Literature

Norma Flores, Sports Editor
December 15, 2011
Bells ring for success

Bells ring for success

Hanna Suarez, Editor-in-Chief
November 21, 2011
Not another brick in the wall

Not another brick in the wall

Hanna Suarez, Editor-in-Chief
November 21, 2011
Delicious and nutritious

Delicious and nutritious

Hanna Suarez, Editor-in-Chief
November 2, 2011

Moving past the bittersweet memories

Hanna Suarez, Editor-in-Chief
October 12, 2011
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