5 Questions with Helen Hampton
Dedicated volunteer and go-go boot fanatic, Helen Hampton, gives insight on her positive outlook and years assisting Downey High School in the records office.
Q1: How long have you been a volunteer at Downey High School?
A: I’ve come at least 2 days a week for what I’ve decided has been 15 years.
Q2: Of all schools, why did you choose Downey High School?
A: A friend of mine was a friend of the school’s [former] principal, Allen Layne; she knew him ‘cause they belonged to the same church, so she started with me and then I continued on my own.
Q3: What do you like to do when you’re not volunteering at Downey High?
A: I volunteer at Downey hospital, sing at nursing homes and I’m writing my life story.
Q4: How do you stay so energetic? Does your family have a history of living long?
A: I count my blessings every morning. No, my mother died at 84 and my father died at 63; I never thought I’d make it past the 84.
Q5: How long have you been wearing your go-go boots?
A: At least 20 years – probably more.
Rodriguez enjoys politics and campaigning. She also enjoys community service, attending concerts, and taking pictures with her instant camera. She hopes that in the next few years, she will have graduated from a good college, such as Berkley, UCLA, UCSB, or UCSD, and will be working for a newspaper, such as The LA Times, and will be living in her own apartment in Downtown Los Angeles or San Francisco. “It’s like the eyes of the school,” Rodriguez said when asked what she likes about newspaper. “It’s our jobs as writers to find out what’s going on in the school and tell people things they don’t know about.” She hopes that being part of The Downey Legend will give her a newfound confidence in her writing, and she hopes to gain new friends through this experience.
While photography remains one her favorite hobbies, she also enjoys roller skating around her neighborhood and constantly listening to bands like The Smiths. Enriquez loves spending time with her family, especially her best friends: Yasmin Alvizures and Joy Eskander, and going to Yogurtland on her free time. With her future set, this outgoing photographer plans to travel around the world after graduating from a four year university. Wherever her journey leads her, her passion for photography will remain at heart.
