Pizza for a cause

Junior JV basketball player, Tony Laverde, competed in Stay Gallery’s outdoor pizza eating contest on Mar. 12, against Warren’s boys basketball, to raise money for TLC. Anticipated to win and beat the Warren bears, Laverde devoured his three slices given to him.

Sabrina Picou, Editor-In-Chief
March 27, 2015

On Thursday, Mar. 12, at 3:30 p.m., Stay Connected hosted a pizza-eating contest between Downey and Warren’s sports teams at Stay Gallery where the two schools joined together to help fundraise for True Lasting Connections. TLC is an organization that helps families in need and provides many outstanding services.

Outside the Stay Gallery students from Downey and Warren High gathered to watch this event. First to take the challenge of devouring two slices of pizza faster than their opponent was boys basketball.

Downey’s junior varsity basketball player, Tony Laverde, 11, explains why he chose to participate in the contest and help fundraise for TLC.

“By participating, I either beat the Bears or I donate to a good cause, so it’s a win-win situation,” Laverde said.

Throughout the contest, students stood outside the gallery watching and passed around buckets with TLC printed on them to collect donations. Students put their donations inside and encouraged others to donate as well. Students were not just there to be spectacles, but to donate to TLC so that this organization will be able to help the families in Downey that need it.

Downey High student Stephanie Aguilar, 11, shares why she chose to attend the contest and view the devouring of pizzas.

“It is always fun to see a school rivalry and participate in school events, especially when I know I am helping a good organization,” Aguilar said.

Warren and Downey both participated to be good citizens of the community and used their rivalry as motivation for a good cause.

Warren’s Talia Cabrera, 12, expresses how she felt participating in the contest and fundraising for TLC.

“I chose to participate because it is my senior year and I want to give back to the community in any way that I can,” Cabrera said.

The event went on for two hours and students watched and continued their donations. The competition ended with Downey winning. Although Downey showed they could eat pizza faster than Warren, they both showed their true compassion in an active way that helped fundraise for TLC. Support a local organization and donate to TLC, school site fundraising will end Mar. 30.

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About the Contributors

Sabrina Picou, Editor-In-Chief

When Sabrina Picou joined newspaper she was quiet, nervous and knew only one person. She did not know how to format and structure a story and self-taught herself how to write a story. Now she is one of two editors-in-chief for the Downey Legend.

“I wanted the untold stories to be told,” Picou said. “That was my goal for Newspaper.”

People in and out of Newspaper have recognized Picou’s passion.

“In my opinion, Sabrina is a responsible student and has a big future in writing ahead of her,” Jarred Aldaco said, 12.

Since joining Newspaper doors have opened for Picou, which allows her to express herself through her writing for a bigger audience. After writing an article on an exhibit at the Stay Gallery titled This Normal Life, Sabrina was offered an internship at the gallery. She now writes a blog for the Stay Gallery.

“My advice would be that life is always about risk,” Picou said.“If you never leap you’ll never know how far you’ll go.”

With the support of her friends and fellow students Picou hopes to inspire with her stories and tell the untold stories.

Ashley Vazquez, Photographer

Joining The Downey Legend for her first time, 16-year-old photographer, Ashley Vazquez hopes to gain experience. “I want to get better at taking pictures and know my camera settings,” Vazquez said. Vazquez has previous experience from photojournalism and is excited to explore new options in Newspaper. Vazquez now hopes to capture sports and all of its exciting moments and memories.Although she may be young, Vazquez has high hopes for her future. Right after high school, she wants to go straight to college to become a dentist. With six siblings (and another one on the way), she wants to stay in her home city of Downey. In her spare time, Vazquez enjoys texting, shopping, watching TV, and dancing to Spanish music. She enjoys listening to R&B and artists such as: The Weekend, Romeo Santos, and Miguel. As for her favorite food? “I like anything with noodles,” Vazquez stated. Vazquez has a lot to look forward to this year and will indefinitely achieve great things.