Instant memories

Lauren Rodriguez, Writer/Student Life Editor
February 26, 2014

In the quad on Wed., Feb. 12 and 13, Mrs. Cordova’s Advanced Photo class sold polaroids for three dollars, during A and B lunch, to fundraise for miscellaneous photography expenses.

Advanced Photo members took turns shooting instant photographs against a tan back-drop with Valentine’s Day themed props, such as poster sized red and pink hearts. Students posed for their instant picture with their significant other or friends in honor of the holiday.

Senior Laura Medina, an Advanced Photo student and photographer for day one of the fundraiser, thought the instant pictures were a fun and cute way to raise money for the class. The fundraiser profits will be used to buy new backdrops, lenses, cameras and other equipment.

“The art classes don’t get much funds,” Medina said. “Every year I’ve had an art class, teachers have to pay out of their own pockets or students have to donate.”

The idea to fundraise by selling photographs was pitched by a former student of Mrs. Cordova. While having a class discussion less than three weeks before Valentine’s Day, the students decided on instant photography because of its instant print and small wallet size.

Senior Wendy Arredondo was thrilled when she found out about the polaroid photo shoot going on at lunch. After hearing about the fundraiser, Arredondo gathered friends together to capture memorable wallet sized moments.

“I was so excited when I heard about the Advanced Photo class taking instant pictures because I’ve been wanting to buy a polaroid camera myself,” Arredondo said. “The pictures always come out so cute and it’s so cool how they’re instantly in your hand.”

Senior Christopher Antonio purchased a polaroid on day two of the fundraiser. Antonio posed with his best friend, senior Cristina Lee-Castro, for their instant photo.

“I like how the picture came out, but I didn’t like how the setting was facing the quad,” Antonio said. “It was awkward doing funny poses in front of the whole school.”

Mrs. Cordova’s Advanced Photography class will be holding more fundraisers involving polaroid pictures in the future. The photographers are satisfied with the outcome of the event and look forward to future fundraisers.

About the Contributor

Lauren Rodriguez, Writer/Student Life Editor

Meet Lauren Rodriguez, first year writer and senior, known by everyone as Lola. Rodriguez joined The Downey Legend staff because her grandfather, who is also a journalist, inspired her to. She looked up to him when she was younger because they are similar in many ways. They both like to write, enjoy history, and dislike the same food, such as ketchup and rice. She also joined because writing is something she feels she is good at. Rodriguez has been published many times in an award-winning anthology, through various writing workshops; she has been involved in this since the 8^th grade.

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.