Spirit Week

On Tues., Jan. 14, senior Jackie Tester dresses as a hipster to participate in the biannual Downey-Warren spirit week.

Sara Cabrera, Writer/ Copy Editor
February 2, 2014

As the wrestling match and basketball game against Warren High School approached students showed their excitement during Spirit Week from Jan. 13 through the 17.

Monday was Pajama Day, Tuesday was Hipster Day, Wednesday was Camouflage or Pink day, Thursday was Preppy Day, and Friday was Viking Pride Day, for everyone except the seniors wearing white for the Black Light Assembly that took place during 3^rd period.

Students started off the week with Pajama Day, although some were disappointed by the weather being 85 degrees which made them think twice about the warm pajamas they considered wearing. This did not stop the junior couple CJ Stricklin and Jessie Herrara, as he wore a Superman onsesie, and she wore a Thing 1 onesie.

“We didn’t care about it being hot because we wanted to wear them, and we do like them especially because we wanted to go all out during spirit week,” Herrara said. “A lot of people told us it was cute of us and funny that we both wore onesies.”

Hipster Day and Preppy day were two of the spirit days that have never been done before, but twere the days that received the most positive feedback.

“I think it was a good idea to have a Hipster Day because a lot of our school already dresses like that, and a lot of people like that style,” senior Felisha Corona said. “It probably got way more people to participate.”

For Preppy Day, some of the football players went as far as borrowing a Girls St. Joseph’s school uniform to portray the look. Senior Troy Stricklin even shaved his legs for the occasion.

Students agreed to the idea of having a Camouflage or Pink Day, which is also new, because it was something the majority could easily participate in since the print and color is common and currently a popular fashion trend.

“I though the whole pink, camouflage day thing was pretty funny and cool just because for some reason it reminded me of the movie Mean Girls,” sophomore Izabella Osuna said.

The three new days added a different appeal to Spirit Week which gained the interest of students and staff who wouldn’t normally dress for the week.

Leave a Comment

About the Contributors

Sara Cabrera, Writer/ Copy Editor

Sara Cabrera, a current senior, is an optimistic writer for The Downey Legend. For Cabrera, journalism is not just a hobby or a class; it’s a passion and a future career. According to Cabrera, she started her sophomore year, yet to discover her writing talent. It was Mrs. Stratford, her sophomore English teacher, who recommended her to join The Downey Legend. “I was a bit intimidated about the whole thing at first,” Cabrera said. After some time to think and a few pushes from Mrs. Stratford, Cabrera made the decision to join. “It was the greatest choice I ever made,” Cabrera said.

Cabrera not only dedicates most of her time to writing for the online newspaper, she also enjoys dancing at a very popular dance studio: Santa Fe Springs Performing Arts Center. Her dancing skills helped her make the Downey High School Dance team for the 2013-2014 school year. With motivation to major in journalism and minor in dance, her dream is to travel around the world for six months after she graduates from a college somewhere in the east coast. She also plans to get a part time job as an interpreter, because she is fluent in sign language. Cabrera’s goal this year as a writer is to make The Downey Legend more popular and known to the students at Downey High.

Mayra Castro, Photographer

Current photographer for The Downey Legend, Mayra Castro, approaches her senior year with optimism and hopes to makes her final year memorable by never missing an opportunity to hang out with friends, while still managing her academics. Castro describes photography as her favorite art medium and, although her passion is fairly new, she is eager to gain more experience by practicing alongside the other Online Newspaper photographers. The senior decided to join the staff because she wanted a place where she could showcase her work while working with other passionate and goal oriented students. She is also considering a future in photojournalism and hopes to familiarize herself with the publication process.

Castro’s main goal for the future is to be the first in her family to go to college. The aspiring photographer feels that a college degree is a necessary component to be successful in today’s economy. When she is enrolled in school, Castro hopes to major in photojournalism and eventually have her images published in a popular magazine where thousands of people can appreciate her work. In her personal life, Castro describes herself as a simple girl with simple tastes. She appreciates the small things in life like listening to music or simply hanging out with friends at the local mall. She looks at each day from a relaxed and optimistic perspective. “The most important part of my life is being happy,” Castro said. “That's all that matters.”

Heidi Castillo, Photographer

Heidi Castillo, photographer for The Downey Legend joined the staff to get involved during her last year of high school as well as express her love for photography. Castillo did not hesitate to join the staff, feeling she would enjoy the experience despite the sometimes hectic environment. Being a member of the online newspaper will not only help Castillo expand her photographer skills, it will also provide an opportunity to bond with her fellow peers. “I think it is a great way to meet new people and build relationships,” Castillo said. While being familiar with several photography techniques, designing on InDesign, and editing pictures on Photoshop, this photographer plans to apply her skills in her photographs and continue her interest.

While managing the senior lifestyle, Castillo enjoys the privileges she receives as being the oldest of three. The photographer enjoys all music genres, however, Pink Martini and Coldplay are her top music choices. Not only does the senior find an interest in listening to music, she has shown her appreciation for the art by singing with a worship team for the past two years. She enjoys watching blood-gore horror films and older black and white films in her spare time. Castillo plans to make the best of her senior year and attend a junior college after graduating.

Veronika Cedillo, Photographer

Veronika Cedillo, a 17-year-old senior, is a new member of The Downey Legend staff. After taking Photojournalism her junior year, Cedillo has decided to pursue a career in photography and thought joining the school’s newspaper would be a great place to begin her journey. Being behind the camera is where Cedillo feels the most comfortable; it is her escape from reality, her happy place. Cedillo has fallen in love with the camera and loves to capture incredible moments with a single picture. “Memorable moments don’t just have to be stored in the back of your mind,” Cedillo said. “That’s what’s so great about a camera; it allows you to actually keep something from that amazing moment that you never want to forget.”

If Cedillo isn’t busy with a camera, she may be sipping down a Double Chocolate Chip Frappuccino from Starbucks with her friends or walking her Maltese Mix dog along the shore of the beach. Someday, Cedillo would like to work for National Geographic and travel the world doing what she enjoys the most: taking pictures. “If you are lucky enough to find something you are truly passionate about, then you should do everything to pursue that dream,” Cedillo said. “Don’t let anything or anyone stop you from achieving your goals.” Cedillo is looking forward to her first year on The Downey Legend’s 2013-2014 staff.

Cindy Macias, Photographer/Co-Photo Editor

For senior Cindy Macias, The Downey Legend is not just a newspaper; it is a place to show her photographs to the world. This photographer likes to take candid shots because she is able to capture the beauty of the moment and frame it in time. Macias is not only in newspaper, she is also juggling Yearbook along with her regular classes. She hopes to become proactive, less of a procrastinator, get straight As, be more organized, and improve her academic vocabulary throughout the year. She plans to study liberal arts at either UC Irvine or UCLA, but does not plan on dorming on campus because of the filth.

Over the summer, Macias gained work experience while interning for Prestige Portraits, a company that specifically takes professional high school senior portraits. Her work involved secretary-like duties, such as calling for reminders and filing papers. When she is not taking photos, she is at the mall shopping for the latest styles at Pac Sun, one of her favorite stores. Macias walks around her neighborhood to ponder over her life. Her friends admire her sense of forwardness, personality, listening skills, and great advice. Macias makes her friends a priority. “The more you don’t see the person, the connection really isn’t there”, she stated. She started photography in the seventh grade, at Davis Middle School, and she has been taking pictures ever since, because photography challenges her to become better. Her personality, work ethic, and perseverance are all aspects that allow Macias to be an extraordinary photographer.

The Downey Legend

The Downey Legend

Spirit Week

The Downey Legend

Comments (0)