Bikers unite
On September 25, 2012, the Downey KIWIN’S and concerned cyclists come out to Downey City Hall, for the Bike Rally, in order to obtain bike lanes in the city. The conclusion of the council meeting was to have another meeting to discuss how this will get accomplished.
October 9, 2012
For some, it was just another normal Tuesday, but for the KIWIN’S Club, Sept. 25, 2012 was the day that students, parents, and residents of the Downey community came together to ask City Hall for more bike lanes in the city.
The KIWIN’S club organized this event with the goal of persuading community leaders to provide fellow Downey bike riders with a safer environment.
“I was confident going to City Hall because I knew I wasn’t alone,” Robert Elizarraras said.
The club traveled from Furman Park to City Hall on their bikes. To ensure a worthy outcome, the group organized power points and speeches to display reasonable evidence as to why providing bike lanes should be our cities priority.
KIWIN’S adviser, Alex Gaytan, thought of the idea over the summer, and with the help of dedicated club members, the idea came to life. Walking into a City Hall board meeting without a previously set appointment might have been nerve wracking for others, but not for freshman Patricia Flores.
“It was worth going to fight for bike lanes because it feels good knowing I was part of a change in our community,” Flores said.
Not only did the city’s leaders agree to what the community service club had to say, but they also agreed to move this topic to another meeting to discuss it in more detail. Their next meeting is scheduled to take place in December where former club members will be present.
“It was a really great feeling knowing that the city took what we had to say seriously,” sophomore Karina Gonzales said.
This act of involvement within Downey has reassured citizens that with unity and hard work, a positive outcome is possible.

When she is not running the staff or writing stories, Buenrostro enjoys jogs around her neighborhood, making healthy shakes and other concoctions, or swimming in the waves at Huntington Beach. “Time doesn’t really exist when I’m in the ocean,” Buenrostro said. Buenrostro also loves live music; she has been to various concerts including Young the Giant, Arctic Monkeys, and Walk the Moon. Buenrostro plans to graduate and attend an out of state school far from California. “As much as I love Downey High,” Buenrostro said, “I can’t wait to go to college in a new environment.” While away at college she hopes to major in biology and medicine to start her path towards her career goal of being a doctor. Buenrostro aims to make her final year at Downey High School rewarding in both her academics and her position on The Downey Legend staff.

Martinez is secretary for KIWIN’S club, and she absolutely loves it. She considers members of her club to be her second family. One of her personal goals as of right now is to get straight A s, while a goal for The Downey Legend is to simply become closer with everyone; she wants the newspaper staff to get as close and comfortable KIWIN’S club. “ I want them to be like my third family,” Martinez said. After high school she would like to travel the world and go on new and exciting adventures. One of the most special moments in her life was when her little sister Isabel was born. Martinez explained that when she was younger she always wanted a little sister or brother, so when Isabel was born, she became one of the most special people in her life. Although Martinez is still undecided about what major she wants to take on, she is very interested in medicine and loves children. With her incredible personality and hard work, she is sure to make any of her goals come through.
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