CTE Programs: Automotive

Fatima Garcia, Kimberly Moreno, and Jonathan Velasquez
January 11, 2022

Auto Tech is a course that promotes innovative thinking, teamwork, and assists students in embarking on a possible career path. Two students who are recognized for exceeding in the program are seniors Mailyn Diaz and Jayden Ramirez. Diaz is indecisive about her career choice, but shared that automotive has provided her with useful skills to implement in her future. Diaz also conveys her deep appreciation for the program. “Automotive really inspires me and allows me to express myself,” Diaz said.

As another experienced automotive student, Ramirez revealed that he will be pursuing a career in correlation to the course. “The career path I decided to take was enlisting in the United States Marines,” Ramirez stated, “I will be working on and maintaining aircraft engines.” As a student who challenges himself, Ramirez is deciding to go big, working with aircraft engines (as opposed to dealing with car parts like he does in the class now). “It has been a starting point because it doesn’t just show me the basics, but it dives deeper into more intermediate skills and tool usage.” Although the basis of automotive emphasize the etiquette of students’ ability to be hands-on in the classroom, Ramirez shared that, “It has taught me to think in a completely different way.” Automotive assists students not only academically but gives a sense of belonging.

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About the Contributors

Fatima Garcia, Writer

Writer Fatima Garcia, 12, in her first year a part of The Downey legend hopes to advocate, learn about her community, and write about topics that interest her. She joined the Downey Legend because of her passion for writing and her opinionated personality. With her caring personality, Garcia spends her free time helping fellow students in the Writing Center. In the near future Garcia is interested in being her own boss and starting a company.

Garcia was looking into joining the Downey Legend for a while because of her love for writing and she finally did. “I want to be able to like, know what’s going on,” Garcia stated. “I want to be able to write about things that internet me…so I decided to do it [join newspaper], and so far I’m liking it.”

Kimberly Moreno, Photographer

Joining The Downey Legend staff for the very first time this year as a photographer, Kimberly Moreno, 12, is ready to put her skills to the test. Aside from her brand new role in The Downey Legend, Moreno shines when it comes to running track and field, saying it has become an outlet that lets her feel so much more alive and free. Outside of school, she loves to spend her time seeing what other skills she’s capable of, such as sketching realistic portraits of animals and even playing the piano for her family. No matter where she is, Moreno’s welcoming personality reaches just about anyone, whether they’re her friends or someone entirely new. Even if she isn’t fully aware of where she’ll end up in the far future, Moreno hopes to find herself well on her way working towards a business major, yet another skill she’s determined to have under her belt.

When asked about what drove her to tackle the challenge of taking on a photographer position, Moreno excitedly explained, “Photography is one of the best ways to beautifully capture any moment we might take for granted. Some people might not think so,” she even admits, “but it’s a living form of art that can bring a lot of passion out of people.”

Jonathan Velasquez, Podcaster

Although it felt as if his junior year was taken from him, Jonathan Velasquez, 12, joins The Downey Legend staff as an all-rounder who hopes to dabble in photography, writing, and podcasting. He works hard for his success and hopes to major in accounting and business as he shows interest in schools like UCLA and Cal State Fullerton. Velasquez joined the staff with prior experience in videography as he participated in Skills USA in the past. Velasquez describes himself as an organized and caring person as he is always putting forth his best efforts in all forms of media in the newsroom. He hopes to make his last year in DHS worthwhile and chose to be involved with The Downey Legend to stay updated and make an overall memorable year.

When asked about his hard working mindset, Velasquez shared his life motto that he lives by, “Whatever you do, do it all the way; one hundred percent.”