Vikes get the prize
Written by Gustavo Ramirez · May 11, 2012
Dressed to impress parents and staff, students headed to the Downey Civic Theater on the night of May 3, 2012, for the annual Viking Awards where they were rewarded for their hard work thus far. Mr. Wierzchucki and Ms. Williams hosted the event for the second year in a row. The event started... (more...)
HOPE brings a message
Written by Gustavo Ramirez · May 11, 2012
Following the popularity of the KONY 2012 video, the DHS Helping Other People Everywhere (HOPE) Club journeyed to the office of U.S. Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard on Friday, April 26, in order to help initiate action towards the crisis in Uganda. HOPE came about as a response to the... (more...)
Jazzing it up
Written by Gustavo Ramirez · May 11, 2012
Celebrating on May 4, 2012, the twenty-fourth annual Jazz Festival at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), jazz artists from all across LA were invited to give live, free performances to foster a love and enthusiasm for jazz. The free jazz concerts will be a regular treat at LACMA... (more...)
A reenactment of Albert Einstein
Written by Gustavo Ramirez · April 27, 2012
Students and residents gather at the Cormack Room at the Downey City Library on April 18, at 6:30pm, to see Duffy Hudson’s retelling of Albert Einstein’s life through dramatic monologue. The event began with a quick retelling of Einstein’s life and then proceeded to explain the theories... (more...)
Books, books, books
Written by Gustavo Ramirez · April 27, 2012
During the weekend of April the 21 through 22, USC hosted the 17th annual Festival of Books to promote the joys of reading and to help readers connect with various publishers and authors. The festival promptly began on Saturday at 10:00a.m. and ended at 6:00p.m., then started again 10:00a.m.... (more...)
Taking on the big leagues
Written by Gustavo Ramirez · April 27, 2012
Heading off to the LAX Hilton on April 13, was Downey High’s JSA chapter attended Spring State, a formal debate convention, to win awards and show off their skills. In total, thirty people attended from DHS, including JSA Adviser Mr. Armendariz, President Alejandro Lomeli, and member Caleb... (more...)
Warren nails the show
Written by Gustavo Ramirez · April 6, 2012
Warren’s Drama Production presented a remake of To Kill a Mockingbird, written by student Christopher Sergel, on Saturday, March 31, at the Emerson Theater to display their artistic ability. The play ran for six shows, with Saturday being the sixth and final. The cast enjoyed a fully filled... (more...)
Positive thinking and karma
Written by Gustavo Ramirez · April 6, 2012
Local author Elaine Piha presented a small lecture on her book What On Earth are we Doing Here at the Downey Library on Sat., March 29 to help people put their lives in perspective. The Friends of the Downey Library group sponsored the event, and it was attended by a handful of residents. Piha’s... (more...)
Heading up north
Written by Gustavo Ramirez · March 21, 2012
Boys and girls from all around California have been chosen to participate in the highly prestigious Boys State and Girls State event held for a week in June to help smooth students into better leaders. A whole host of juniors have been nominated, including Tiffany Virgen, Sofia Paik, Ellen... (more...)
Reading rainbow redux
Written by Gustavo Ramirez · March 21, 2012
Teachers and students gather at C-110 to read The Unbearable Lightness of Being in order to appreciate literature and converse with a group of like-minded literati. The club came about as a result of a class that Ms. Barbeau is taking. For her comparative lit class, she figured that it behooved... (more...)
Discussing the macabre
Written by Gustavo Ramirez · March 21, 2012
Students in the Expository Reading and Writing Course (ERWC) discuss the functions and implications of genocide throughout Feb. and March to better understand the world and the ramifications of their actions. The genocide course is a specialty unit created by ERWC teachers Mrs. Hill, Ms. Stratford,... (more...)
Culture and a show
Written by Gustavo Ramirez · February 29, 2012
Gathered at the Barber Shop at 9204 Florence Ave to spread some culture, poets from all around Los Angeles gathered to recite poetry and grow from one another’s critiques. The works ranged from humorous and abstract to melancholic and mournful. Artists shared their inspirations and goals,... (more...)
A call to action
Written by Gustavo Ramirez · February 29, 2012
An assortment of protestors gathered at the corner of Imperial Hwy. and Paramount Blvd. on Jan. 28 to protest the Downey Police Department and City Council for what they claimed was their lack of police restraint. The protest rally took place at the location where Michael Nida, 31, was shot... (more...)
Coming together
Written by Gustavo Ramirez · February 29, 2012
With the passing away of Evelyn Garcia’s mother, Downey High School held fundraisers in order to help the Garcia family in their time of need. Teachers and other faculty members who personally knew Garcia assisted her by selling various treats or simply expecting students to give out of the... (more...)
Undergoing change once more
Written by Gustavo Ramirez · February 10, 2012
As the school readies to commence construction that will last up to three years, administrators, counselors, and certain teachers are being displaced to different locations beginning the second semester to make way for changes. The new administration building is one in a long series of changes... (more...)
Tierra Luna
Written by Gustavo Ramirez · January 22, 2012
Recently passed on Dec. 21 by Mayor Brossmer and the City Council, the “Tierra Luna” building project is expected to create within 3,000+ jobs in Downey to revitalize the city’s economy. Tierra Luna, in a nutshell, is a brand new shopping center, that will be built on the land currently... (more...)
Downey sends their work afloat
Written by Gustavo Ramirez · January 22, 2012
The Downey Rose Float Association garnered an award for the “Enchanted Paradise” float, constructed with the help of the community, on Jan. 1, 2012, at the 123rd Pasadena Tournament of Roses. Designed and constructed with the leadership of Kelley Roberts, the president and construction... (more...)
Cuban Competition
Written by Gustavo Ramirez · December 16, 2011
With the hustle and bustle of city life thriving around it, the Tropicana, a Cuban bakery and café, invites onlookers into its homey interior to purchase their delicious goods. Likewise, Porto’s Bakery and Café also invites passers-by into its chic establishment. From afar, both businesses... (more...)
New Mayor, new laws
Written by Gustavo Ramirez · December 16, 2011
As the night grew dark on Nov. 22, Downey officials and citizens alike gathered at the city hall to discuss and debate future regulations and statutes. The meeting commenced with the traditional flag salute by Finance Director John Michicoff and a small sermon by associate pastor Chris Stuart... (more...)
Game on!
Written by Gustavo Ramirez · December 16, 2011
Determined to defeat one another for the glory of being named Yu-Gi-Oh champion, players gather in the library every morning and lunch to test their card playing skills, decks, and strategies. Yu-Gi-Oh, a card game based on conjuring mythical monsters in order to deplete the life points of... (more...)
Downey feels the vibe
Written by Gustavo Ramirez · November 24, 2011
With their eyes imbued by the works of art created by Downey residents, patrons to the Urban Renaissance Art Show gained insight into the creative endeavors of the community on Oct 10, 2011 at the Civic Theater. Art Vibe, a long-since established organization, has held such an event for the... (more...)
Downey JSA chapter heads off to the LAX Marriot
Written by Gustavo Ramirez · November 21, 2011
JSA members congregated at the LAX Marriott, on Oct. 12 and 13, to practice democracy and strengthen debating skills at the 2011 Junior State of America Fall State Convention. “JSAers” remained at the hotel and listened to both experienced and inexperienced speakers debate over topics that... (more...)
The Downey Fresh Air Coalition makes leaps and bounds
Written by Gustavo Ramirez · November 21, 2011
The night was tinged with a buzz of excitement as students, parents, and other adults assembled outside of the Downey City Hall on Oct. 25 to show the council members their solidarity for anti-smoking laws. Riding on their increasing success, the Downey Fresh Air Coalition has been able... (more...)
Marching band and color guard start the year off well
Written by Gustavo Ramirez · November 2, 2011
Held at Baldwin Park High School, Marching Band and color guard performed for the first time this year and wowed the crowd, on Oct. 22, in the hopes of winning awards at the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association. The first to perform for the 4A section, Downey lined... (more...)
Downey author signs book at city library
Written by Gustavo Ramirez · November 2, 2011
In an attempt to spread information about M.J. Trumle, an early 20th century inventor, author Ann Mauer gave a lecture and signed her books at the Downey City Library, on Nov. 19, from 6:00pm to 7:30 pm. Mauer is a native of Downey, graduating from Warren High School in the 1970s, and is currently... (more...)
Strides toward cleaner air
Written by Gustavo Ramirez · October 12, 2011
Led by a desire to make the air around Downey safe and clean for future generations, the Downey Fresh Air Coalition (FAC) is tirelessly working towards banning smoking in public parks by the end of 2012. The FAC is a youth and adult advocacy group aimed at banning smoking in parks and other... (more...)
Stepping through the past
Written by Gustavo Ramirez · October 12, 2011
Revving up the school spirit, ASB sponsored a regressive decade-themed Spirit Week from Sept. 19-21 to pump kids full of Downey pride. Inspired by a tentative idea of a 50s Rally, the Downey High ASB resolved to start off the school year with a brief look at the past. The week started off on... (more...)