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
Arely Macedo

Arely Macedo, Photographer

As her time at Downey High draws to a close, Senior Arely Macedo hopes to finish her fourth and final year on the school’s track team on a strong note. With an eye for photoshop, Macedo joined newspaper at the insistence of her photography teacher and she hopes to capture a side of Downey High that is rarely seen with her pictures. 

 

With no plans for college, Macedo plans to jump straight into the workforce as a real estate accountant. “I don’t really want to continue with school and that [an accountant] is a good job you can get without a college degree,” Macedo said. “My family has also been in that field of work for a while, so I have some experience.”  

All content by Arely Macedo
Downey resident Andrew Esparza shares how Covid-19 hindered his career plans.

Covid Hinders Career Plans

Arely Macedo, Photographer
May 22, 2020
While being stuck in quarantine, Rachel Spinosa, 11, still finds motivation to stay in shape. “I always eat a healthy breakfast and get a five minute stretch in beforehand,” Spinosa said. “I get a 2 mile run in, and then I alternate arms and legs every other day, but I always do core at the end of every workout.”

Students Work Out in Quarantine

Arely Macedo, Photographer
May 21, 2020
After binge watching the new Netflix original show, Outer Banks, Bryanna Anderson,11, absolutely loved it and can not wait for season two. “My friend recommended it to me and once I watched the first episode, I was hooked on immediately,'' Anderson said. “My favorite character has got to be John B. Oh my gosh he’s just amazing and not bad looking either.”

Outer Banks: What do students think of the show?

Arely Macedo, Photographer
May 19, 2020
Renolds 1

Parenting in Quarantine

Arely Macedo, Photographer
May 9, 2020
Truck driver Robert Garcia shares how covid-19 has altered his work experience

Covid Coercers Kindness

Arely Macedo, Photographer
May 9, 2020
Being able to go out to grocery stores and buy basic needs has never been more difficult for senior, Keila Moreno. “I went to the store the other day and there was literally nothing,” Moreno stated. “It gets me frustrated because my family and I are low on regular groceries.”

Students Take on Covid-19

Arely Macedo and Elaine Lopez
March 30, 2020
Being able to go out to grocery stores and buy basic needs has never been more difficult for senior, Keila Moreno. “I went to the store the other day and there was literally nothing,” Moreno stated. “It gets me frustrated because my family and I are low on regular groceries.”

[Photo] Teachers Take on Covid-19

Jaylene Cardona, Business Manager
March 28, 2020
After the Governor said that it’s best for all 40 million Californians to stay home, it has been more difficult for senior, Terrell Placide to go out and socialize with friends and family. “I feel myself getting more and more desperate as the days go by like I just want things to go back to normal,” stated Placide. “I wanna see my friends regularly and go to school and all that like especially since it’s my senior year.”

During the second week of March, Downey High School dedicated a full week in regards to Mental Health. Sofia Rodriguez (Left), 12, and Tyler Hanks (Right), 12, spent their lunch in the Writing Center for a Meditation Session on Monday, March 9th. “I love the idea of Mental Health Week because it can help me and my peers out,” Hanks said. “When there’s a big test, I get really anxious but I try to think positive and tell myself that it’s only a test.”

[Photo] Meditation

Lukas Luna and Arely Macedo
March 10, 2020
While showing her Vike Vibe, Kaylee Valencia, 12, was donating blood for the first time ever. “All my friends did it last time and I told myself I was gonna do it the next time and I did,” Valencia said. “Yeah I was nervous, but it’s for a good cause so I went with it and I plan on doing it again.”

Saving Lives

Arely Macedo, Photographer
March 5, 2020
While doing a handoff in the girls varsity 4x200, senior Mikala Fletcher was second leg in the event receiving the baton from junior, Bryanna Anderson. “The 4x200 is a really fun event because it only happens on relay meets so it’s fun to do it when I get the chance,” Fletcher said. “This is my last high school track season and I’m pretty eager to finish strong.”

First Track Meet of the season

Arely Macedo, Photographer
March 5, 2020
The Commissioner of the CIF Southern Section, Rob Wigod, came to Downey High School to talk to the 1,300+ student-athletes about “Pursuing Victory with Honor” on February 13. “I came to talk to all student-athletes to make them aware of the strong impact you [they] have on any younger/upcoming student-athletes,” Wigod said. “If a child comes to your game and sees the determination and persistence in your performance, what do you think that child will do? They would want to be like you one day.”

CIF: Victory with Honor Assembly

Arely Macedo, Photographer
February 20, 2020
While having really high goals for himself, senior, Terrell Placide found Mr. Wigod’s speech very helpful for his upcoming Track & Field season. “He made me open my eyes to a lot of things I didn't really think of as much,” Placide said. “Such as the impact I can have on little kids who watch me jump.”

As a part of the Downey High School Cheerleading and Track & Field team, senior, John Guevara really took inspiration from what Mr. Wigod had to say in the assembly. “I have Cheer Nationals coming up and it’s really important to mentally prepare beforehand especially since cheer is based on mentality,” Guevara said. “This assembly helped inspire me to really give it my all in both Cheer and Track.”

The Commissioner of the CIF Southern Section, Rob Wigod, came to Downey High School to talk to the 1,300+ student-athletes about “Pursuing Victory with Honor” on February 13. “I came to talk to all student-athletes to make them aware of the strong impact you [they] have on any younger/upcoming student-athletes,” Wigod said. “If a child comes to your game and sees the determination and persistence in your performance, what do you think that child will do? They would want to be like you one day.”

The Downey High School’s Dance Team showed off their skills on January 25 at the USA Dance Regionals. One of the team captains, Juliana Rincon, 12, made sure to do her part throughout all the dances. “I had to prepare myself mentally about a week prior to competition,” Rincon said. “I feel so many emotions before I’m about to go on, mostly nervous, but I know win or lose, I’ll always have my squad.”

Downey Dance Regionals

Arely Macedo, Photographer
February 5, 2020
Student Skaters

Student Skaters

Arely Macedo, Photographer
January 27, 2020
Not being a fan of Downey High School’s skateboards policy, Ryan Luiz, 12, still enjoys skating with friends. “I feel like locking up our [skate] boards is pushing it a bit because we should at least be responsible for our own belongings,” Luiz said. “Besides that, I really like hanging out with friends and skating with them.”

As a student skater, Jonay Reyes, 12, enjoys going out with friends to skate when he has free time. “Usually after school, the homies and I just skate to wherever and we just hang out and chill till about five,” Reyes said. “Sometimes [on weekends or breaks] we like to go to LA and street skate all day long.”

With a love for skating, Izak Ueman, 12, has been skating since he was 13 years old. “I’ve been skating since middle school, but I met a lot more skaters when I got to high school and those are the people that I hang out with the most,” Ueman said. “The rules about locking up your deck and not skating on campus is a bit annoying but it’s all good.”

With this being her fourth and final year competing at Downey High, Alexis Macias, senior, is ready to give it her all. “I felt that our performance was really well considering it’s a brand new team. We performed to the best of our ability and will continue to do so,” Macias said. “I love playing and high school soccer was probably the best experience for me. I’m gonna miss it, but I know I’m moving on to better things.”

First Preseason Varsity Girls Soccer Game

Arely Macedo, Photographer
January 4, 2020
Hoping to win CIF this year, senior, Kristen Salguero wants to finish her last high school soccer season on a strong note. “Since it was my first game of pre-season, I was a little nervous but overall I know I played my hardest,” Salguero said. “I’m sad that this is my last chance to play high school soccer, but I know that I will leave the program feeling proud of all we accomplished.”

Starting off the pre-season, senior, Sam Sanchez and her team end the game with a score of 1-1 against Bishop Amat. “I felt that it was a really good game and that our work ethic is really good, but we just need to improve on our finishing/being in the attacking third” Sanchez said.

Downey vs Camarillo Playoffs Game

Arely Macedo, Photographer
December 1, 2019
The Downey High School varsity football team end the season with a loss to the home game against the Camarillo Scorpions. The Vikes managed to make it to the second game in the playoffs and ended up with a final score of 27-28 on Friday, Nov. 15.

[Photo] Power For Periods

Jazmyn Contreras, Illustrator
November 20, 2019
Following tradition, seniors, Jenna Meza (Left), Natalie Mejia (Middle left), Julian Yepez (Middle right), and Isaac Corella (Right) dressed up for Warren Wimp Day for their last time. “I honestly felt so sad when it hit me that this would be my last Warren Wimp Day,” Meza said. “Spirit Week has always been so much fun and I’m so lucky to have such a hyped student body.”

Warren Wimp Day 2019

Arely Macedo, Photographer
November 15, 2019
During both lunches, on October 31, 2019, Downey High School had their annual car smash where they allow students to hit a Warren decorated car with a sledgehammer. DHS does this every year to hype everyone up before the Downey vs Warren football game the following day.

In the spirit for Warren Wimp Day, junior, Rachel Spinosa (Left) and senior, Ilani Avila (Right) dressed up as a pair of wimpy Warren basketball players. “It’s crazy to think that it’s already my third Warren Wimp Day,” Spinosa said. “It’s a bitter-sweet feeling that next year will be my last because I won’t be spending it with my best friend Ilani, but I know next year will be amazing too.”

Vikings did not fail in making dents on the Warren decorated car with a sledgehammer. Many students stood, observing the Viking at work.

For Warren Wimp Day 2019, sophomore, Jimmy Guerrero, dressed as an injured Warren Wimp. This year, Warren Wimp Day took place two days before the football game rather than the day prior. “To be honest, I didn’t really feel the same energy as last year,” Guerrero said. “Like last year there was more hype because the football game was the next day but the day was still really fun and had lots of spirit overall.”

WWD1

Fall Blood Drive

Arely Macedo, Photographer
October 31, 2019
While waiting to get called up, Senior, Mia Fernandez, was a bit nervous to donate blood for the first time. “I have universal blood and it kinda runs in my family as well,” Fernandez said. “Donating my blood could save someone’s life, and I wanted to contribute as much as I could.”

While hoping everything goes smoothly, Senior, Jessica Calderon was waiting to get her blood taken out. “I tend to get nervous in these situations, but by donating blood I can save someone else’s life,” Calderon said. “I wanted to experience the blood drive, and after all, it helps those in need.”

After donating a pint of blood, Kristen Salguero, 12, happily left with a free t-shirt she got for donating. “I chose to donate blood because I really enjoy helping those in need,” Salguero said. “This is my third time donating blood so it’s become a very easy process for me and I plan to continue donating.”

Having a love for the hit TV show, Stranger Things, Sebastian Rodriguez (left) and Natasha Evans (right), both cosplay as their favorite characters. “We decided to be Steve and Robin basically as soon as we finished season 3 and we automatically knew that this is what we were gonna do,” Evans (right) said. “The costumes cost like forty dollars each so really affordable and really fun to wear.”

Inspired by the popular anime, My Hero Academia, Sofia Pacade, Noemi Ramirez, and John Mann all got together to cosplay as the three main characters. “Sophia and I absolutely love the anime and knew we had to dress up as Deku, Bakugo, and Todoroki,” Ramirez (middle) said. “John has actually never watched it, but still agreed to do the cosplay with us.”

Loving what she does, self-taught artist, Linn Rangel, founder of ‘Spicy Panda Stickers’, is excited to set up her booth for LA Comic-Con 2019. “Long story short, my back is broken and so I’ve always wanted to become an artist, but I can’t carry my art with a broken back,” Rangel said. “So then that’s when I thought of stickers! I can put my art on stickers, and that’s basically how this all started.”

[Photo] Comic-Con 2019

Leanna Bobadilla, Social Media Manager
October 29, 2019
Many attendees of LA Comic-Con 2019, arrived fully decked out with incredible outfits. Commitment in cosplaying ranged from working on your outfit for multiple years to a couple of days.

With Halloween around the corner, numerous amounts of people were found wearing horror-inspired outfits. Looking festive, there was also a horror section found inside the convention center.

Several Comis-Con attendees can be found pairing cosplays. This father and daughter were found matching as the scarecrow and mini scarecrow.

All having similar interests, these Comic-Con attendees posed for photos, cosplaying as main characters from Disney film, Up. Originally attending separately, Mr. Fredrickson (the elderly man) and Russell (the young lady on her knees) join Mrs. Fredrickson (the elderly lady) and Kevin (bird), in posing for photos.

Mr. Kraus, Gaming Club Advisor, is ready for this year’s Overwatch tournament and hopes to see his gamers give it their all throughout the entire competition. “I hope [gamers] face some bumps and bruises as they organize themselves and take control of their own experience,” Kraus said. “My sincere hope is that they’re more mature and more self-aware.”

Overwatch Tournament

Arely Macedo, Photographer
October 18, 2019
Due to it being her last year at Downey High School, Nalani Rodriguez, 12, and her little sister Brianna Rodriguez, 11, dressed up as different decades for the second to last day of spirit week. “I really wanted to go big for this week,” Rodriguez (left) stated. “Dressing up 70s disco era was something I was so excited to do, I had been planning this fit for so long.”

Homecoming Spirit Week

Arely Macedo and Katie Portillo
October 11, 2019
With Hawaiian day being the third spirit week theme, junior, Angel Sanabria expresses his Hawaiian style by wearing a classic floral button up. “It was a fun theme because of the many memories I remember from my cherished trip to Hawaii,” Sanabria said. “I enjoyed dressing up for [Hawaiian Day] because I got to wear my favorite Hawaiian themed shirt and also felt like a tourist.”

For Tik Tok Tuesday, junior Stephanie Serrano went with an “E-Girl” look to participate in Spirit Week, Serrano hopes Tik Tok Tuesday makes a return in future spirit weeks. “Tik Tok Tuesday was my favorite theme out of the week mainly because [Tik Tok] reminds me of Vine (RIP Vine 2013-2016),” Serrano said. “It was also funny seeing Mr. Houts dancing to a popular song from Tik Tok.”

Spirit week allows students at DHS to show off their school spirit and creativity while being dressed up for Tik Tok Tuesday, Jaclyn Urzua, 10, went out of her way and created a sign that says “Save the turtles! And I oop- SKSKSKS” to fulfill her VSCO Girl look. “I went for the VSCO girl look because it was a fun and exciting way to show off Tik Tok day,” Urzua said. “I love dressing up for spirit week, so this was a great opportunity to get creative

Young Entrepreneurs

Young Entrepreneurs

Arely Macedo, Photographer
September 23, 2019
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