AP exams on the horizon
Written by Julia Ruiz · April 27, 2012
As the saying goes: April showers bring May flowers; however, for many students enrolled in Advanced Placement classes, April showers are a reminder of the upcoming College Board AP Exams, which will take place from May 7 to May 18. The College Board AP program provides students the opportunity... (more...)
Girls basketball and soccer featured in CIF’s Dream Team
Written by Julia Ruiz · April 3, 2012
Girls athletics dominated the 2011-2012 winter sports season as the varsity water polo, soccer, and basketball teams competed in their respective CIF divisions. After the girls basketball team reached quarterfinals for the first time since 1995 and the girls soccer team won the CIF Division... (more...)
Soccer star in the making
Written by Julia Ruiz · March 19, 2012
After scoring a goal in every CIF Division 5 playoff match, senior Claudia Lopez left her mark in the Viking’s varsity soccer team as one of the team’s best. Her passion, hard work, and natural talent for the European game helped lead her and her team to win the CIF Championship title. “Claudia... (more...)
Winter sports leave their mark in CIF
Written by Julia Ruiz · February 29, 2012
Four Viking athletic teams wrapped up their 2011-2012 winter season as CIF finalists. Varsity wrestling, varsity girls water polo, varsity boys and girls basketball, and varsity girls soccer were all present in their respective CIF divisional playoffs. Varsity wrestling entered their first... (more...)
Viking turned Trojan
Written by Julia Ruiz · February 7, 2012
The dream becomes a reality for football star Jabari Ruffin as his commitment to the University of Southern California reaches its closing stages. USC first noticed the young linebacker’s talent on the football field in March 2011. Almost a year later, the Viking athlete signed his Letter... (more...)
Four vikings in CIF’s 2011 team of the year
Written by Julia Ruiz · January 18, 2012
With a second consecutive CIF title under their belt, the girls varsity volleyball team received further recognitions as the CIF Division 2A acknowledged both senior Heather Schnars and Coach Andrea Sims as Player and Coach of the Year respectively on Dec. 12, 2011. Captain Heather Schnars’... (more...)
Girls soccer begins season on a bad note
Written by Julia Ruiz · December 16, 2011
During their first game of the winter season, the girls varsity soccer team lost against the Lakewood Lancers with a score of 0-3, at the Allen Layne Stadium, on Dec. 1. Captains Jasmine Medrano and Alexandria Oropeza animated the girls as they headed to the field to face an ambitious opponent. “I... (more...)
Winter sports 2011 preview: vikings aim for CIF
Written by Julia Ruiz · November 21, 2011
With the girls varsity volleyball winning their second consecutive CIF title and the boys varsity water polo team just falling short in the playoffs, the fall 2011 season came to an end on a high note. Now, the second stage of athletics continues with winter sports just around the corner. The... (more...)
Girls volleyball defends CIF championship title
Written by Julia Ruiz · November 21, 2011
The girls varsity volleyball team defended their CIF title as they defeated the Whittier Christian Heralds 3-2 at the CIF Division 2-A Final on Sat. Nov. 19 atCypressCollege. Supporters from both teams filled the stands as Whittier Christian fans brought an immense amount of energy; however,... (more...)
Master of all trades
Written by Julia Ruiz · November 2, 2011
A skateboard and a pencil are senior Andrew Umaña’s only tools. He translates his life experiences into illustrations, adding what his imagination provides him with. He receives inspiration from various sources; however, it was his mother who first introduced him to art. “When I... (more...)
Girls volleys for a cure
Written by Julia Ruiz · November 2, 2011
The girls varsity volleyball team stood up to Breast Cancer in a city derby on Tuesday, Oct. 18 beating the Bears 3-1. The stands were decked out in pink as spectators from both schools supported, not only their respected teams, but also the cause: Breast Cancer awareness. Viking alumni Sierra... (more...)
Girls volleyball dominate La Habra Highlanders
Written by Julia Ruiz · October 12, 2011
One of the first pre-season games was victorious as the girls varsity volleyball team defeated the La Habra Highlanders on Thursday, Sep. 15, at the DHS gym, with a score of 3-0. Parents and fellow Vikings supported the girls after both JV and frosh/soph fell to the Highlanders. The whistle... (more...)
A showcase for cultural talent
Written by Julia Ruiz · June 14, 2011
The Latin Dance Ensemble proudly hosted their first Cultural Talent Show on Fri., Jun. 3 in the DHS Theater. A variety of dances were performed by six acts and from the hostesses themselves. The Cultural Talent Show was organized with the intentions of celebrating various ethnicities through... (more...)
Wierzchucki awarded April Teacher of the Month
Written by Julia Ruiz · May 11, 2011
During his first year as a staff member at Downey, Bryan Wierzchucki was named April’s teacher of the month. Wierzchucki decided to become a teacher because he wanted to achieve something in life. Encouraged by his wife, he decided to find a successful career and returned to school to receive... (more...)
Boys Volleyball face a Warren defeat
Written by Julia Ruiz · April 14, 2011
The boys varsity volleyball team lost a tough game against the Warren Bears on Tuesday, Apr 12 with a score of 3-2. With the stands full of encouragement from both the Vikings and the Bears, the gym’s atmosphere grew with excitement as the rivals fought hard on the court. As the first round... (more...)
Swim leaves La Mirada behind
Written by Julia Ruiz · April 4, 2011
The varsity girls swim team defeated the La Mirada Matadores with a score of 125-44, on March 31, at the Downey Aquatics Center. With CIF qualifications on the line, pressure built to rise above and succeed. The meet started off strong with the girls quickly rising on the scoreboard leaving... (more...)
Varsity Volleyball falls short
Written by Julia Ruiz · March 18, 2011
The boys varsity volleyball team faced the dominant Valley Christian and lost with a score of 3-0 on March 10. As the teams warmed-up on the courts, the Vikings seemed prepared for a fight as they practiced their passes and spikes while the Crusaders quietly practiced on their courtside. As... (more...)
Genesis Anguiano chosen as new Girls State Delegate
Written by Julia Ruiz · March 4, 2011
Junior Genesis Anguiano prepares to represent Downey High School as this year’s delegate for the 2011 American Legion Auxiliary Girls State. Girls State is a nationwide program that sets out to help high school girls, which have completed their junior year and understand local and state... (more...)
Studying Abroad: A Change of Scenery
Written by Julia Ruiz · March 4, 2011
From Thailand to Los Angeles, junior Itsaree Rachatasumrit traveled across the world to get a new experience from a foreign country. Wanting to gain a new insight on American culture and a chance to improve her English, Rachatasumrit joined ACE, a foreign exchange student program, in order... (more...)
The Tronified black light assembly
Written by Julia Ruiz · February 16, 2011
The crowd roared as the lights turned off on Feb. 10 for the annual Black Light Assembly. In complete darkness, the gym became a part of Tron Legacy’s world with lights scattered throughout the floor, glow-in-the-dark balloons, and glow sticks in the audience’s hand. The assembly began... (more...)
Reality through the creative eye
Written by Julia Ruiz · January 26, 2011
The creative minds of Ashley Asturi and Michelle Cervantes have created a new world in which both artists can fully express their most inner and personal thoughts. After being inspired by her uncle’s talent, senior Ashley Asturi began to pursue art herself. She began illustrating and as... (more...)
A winter at Hogwarts
Written by Julia Ruiz · December 15, 2010
Students walked through platform 9 ¾ on Dec. 3 into the Harry Potter Winter Sports Rally. The gym was transformed into Hogwarts as each class was put into a house. Seniors were Gryffindor, juniors were Slytherin, sophomores were Ravenclaw, and the freshman class was Hufflepuff. ASB spent countless... (more...)
Portos: a small taste of cuban paradise
Written by Julia Ruiz · November 23, 2010
In addition to the Glendale and Burbank locations, Porto’s Bakery Café opened a new bakery in Downey, of the highly anticipated opening occurred Tuesday, Nov. 15. Hundreds of customers eagerly waited at the ribbon cutting ceremony to enjoy the many pastries Porto’s has to offer. Balloons... (more...)
Blood Drive
Written by Julia Ruiz · November 5, 2010
Vikings swarmed into the gym on Nov. 3 to donate blood for the 2010 Fall Blood Drive sponsored by the American Red Cross. The gym transformed from an athletic court into a blood bank as black stretchers covered the floor, volunteers assisted donors throughout the room, and students walked with... (more...)
Vikings wipe off the Dons
Written by Julia Ruiz · October 20, 2010
The varsity volleyball girls quickly got down to business and showed no fear against the Dons; in a matter of minutes they were in the lead at their match on Oct 12. From the sidelines, Coach Sims guided and cheered on her girls. “They did so well serving and passing but need to keep their... (more...)