The first walk of many

Marilyn Ramirez, Copy Editor/Co-Editor-in-Chief

April 17, 2013

At the 5K for TLC , ASB director, Gordon Weisenburger runs his first lap around the corner of Harriman St. on April 13. ASB students also participated with Weisenburger.

The Downey Service Center’s Community Involvement Team partnered up with the City of Downey and Downey Unified School District to hold the 1st annual 5K for True Lasting Connections, on Saturday, April 15 at Rancho Los Amigos. The $15-$20 fee per person benefited the TLC Resource Center located in Downey on Lakewood and Bellflower; the community support was evident in the result of the $20,000 raised.

“It’s so nice to get everyone to come out today and show how tied together we are as a community,” Mayor Mario Guerra said. “Rain or shine, we will walk today together for a cause that will benefit you, the residents on Downey.”

Walkers, runners, babies in strollers, the young, and the old gathered at the starting line after visiting sponsors’ booths, such as Kaiser Permanente and Dasani.

“We want to promote good health for life so that walkers here today can continue participating at other walks not only to improve other people’s lives but their own,” Kaiser Permanente employee Shannon Garcia said.

Groups from Downey High School such as ASB and Kiwanis Club also joined in, cheering runners and walkers on to finish the three-mile journey. Senior Mohammed Khan was motivated by ASB Director Gordon Weisenburger, who placed in the top 50 with a time of 28:52.

“[The race] was fun this morning,” Khan said. “I placed top in my age group. It was nice seeing everyone there, especially my old East Middle School teachers.”

Unlike the speedy racers like Khan, Michelle Hernandez, 11, took her time getting through the treck. Her purpose wasn’t to place, but to promote TLC’s progress.

“I think what they’re doing here is great and everyone should know about it,” Hernandez said.

True Lasting Connections has become more than just a resource center over the past 20 years of its existence. In Downey, it has shaped the city into becoming more of a community involved through the programs it offers at little to no cost with the help of grants and donations from beneficiaries.

About the Contributors

Marilyn Ramirez, Copy Editor/Co-Editor-in-Chief

For senior Marilyn Ramirez, newspaper is not only a class. No, for this young journalist, The Downey Legend is her inner voice, her happy, her passion, her future. Ramirez sets out to improve her writing ability with every new story, setting new goals for herself with the start of every deadline. She is currently the Copy Editor and Co-Editor-in-Chief on staff. She joined the online publication in order to gain experience in journalism; after studying at either UC Berkley or San Francisco State University, she is certain she will write for Time Magazine and develop a career in photojournalism. Ramirez plans on hiking through war-zones, or the jungles of Borneo in order to capture the beauty she wishes to documents. This journalist has no space in her agenda for anything less than extraordinary. When she is not writing stories or improving her photo and web layout skills, Ramirez enjoys spending time with her better half, Kyle Hudspeth. Like many others, she adores Disneyland and shopping . She might be found at her favorite drinks chain, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, reading a book or making awkward conversation with strangers. She has an unbelievable amount of positive energy, which she utilizes in a myriad of activities from school work, to staff bonding, however, it is not so obnoxious, because it is balanced out with the right amount of sarcasm. Ramirez is a fast-paced, modern girl of sorts with a dedicated disposition; she is undoubtedly heading toward great heights.

Andrea Martinez, Photographer

Andrea Martinez ,11, is a photographer for The Downey Legend. Martinez first took an interest in photography when she signed up for Photojournalism, and now photography is one of her favorite hobbies. The main reason Martinez joined staff was because Miss. Napoli insisted she would be a perfect addition, not to mention she was also encouraged by her friends Brenda Lopez and April Rios. Her other hobbies include: volunteering at Downey Regional Medical Center and spending time with friends and family. Martinez is secretary for KIWIN’S club, and she absolutely loves it. She considers members of her club to be her second family. One of her personal goals as of right now is to get straight A s, while a goal for The Downey Legend is to simply become closer with everyone; she wants the newspaper staff to get as close and comfortable KIWIN’S club. “ I want them to be like my third family,” Martinez said. After high school she would like to travel the world and go on new and exciting adventures. One of the most special moments in her life was when her little sister Isabel was born. Martinez explained that when she was younger she always wanted a little sister or brother, so when Isabel was born, she became one of the most special people in her life. Although Martinez is still undecided about what major she wants to take on, she is very interested in medicine and loves children. With her incredible personality and hard work, she is sure to make any of her goals come through.