Senior Year
May 7, 2020
Jasmine Hernandez opens up about the loss of senior year activities as well as what she is going to miss about school.
About the Contributors
Melina Michaus, Podcaster
Starting her first year in Newspaper as a podcaster, Melina Michaus is a senior at Downey High with a voice loud enough to be heard. Michaus has been in Girl Scouts since she was 10 years old and started softball around the same time, up until her senior year. Michaus plans to go to a four year university, ideally San Diego State, to major in nursing where she will help others in need.
In her free time, Michaus reads romance and mystery novels. “I like novels because it helps me grow my imagination,” Michaus informed. “I like romance novels because I love, love. I like mystery novels because of the curiosity and not knowing what’s going to happen next.” Michaus is usually hidden behind a book, but once you get her to put it down and talk, she will keep the conversation going.
In her free time, Michaus reads romance and mystery novels. “I like novels because it helps me grow my imagination,” Michaus informed. “I like romance novels because I love, love. I like mystery novels because of the curiosity and not knowing what’s going to happen next.” Michaus is usually hidden behind a book, but once you get her to put it down and talk, she will keep the conversation going.
Natalia Sotomayor, Illustrator
With the hopes of one day being involved in the medical field, junior Natalia Sotomayor’s, growth mindset, determination, and studies have encouraged her to become a veterinarian. In order to procure this dream job, Sotomayor prepares herself by joining newspaper’s comic artists, and taking a rigorous college prep course, honors human body systems. Here, you study the anatomical composition of all living things by conducting research, dissecting, and discussing.
The main reason Sotomayor decided to consider becoming a veterinarian was because her puppy, Annie, needed to undergo surgery. Later, she proudly exclaimed, “they helped her, and I’m eternally grateful for that,” showing a more vulnerable side. Then, after further discussion about the pros and cons of becoming a veterinarian, she mentioned, “...at least with this job I’m still able to help animals; one pet at a time.” Having the Downey Legend as an accessible source, Sotomayor, hopes to spread her love and awareness through the comics she illustrates.
The main reason Sotomayor decided to consider becoming a veterinarian was because her puppy, Annie, needed to undergo surgery. Later, she proudly exclaimed, “they helped her, and I’m eternally grateful for that,” showing a more vulnerable side. Then, after further discussion about the pros and cons of becoming a veterinarian, she mentioned, “...at least with this job I’m still able to help animals; one pet at a time.” Having the Downey Legend as an accessible source, Sotomayor, hopes to spread her love and awareness through the comics she illustrates.
![Many students have had extra time on their hands to get healthier and Gloria Falach, 10, tells us about her experience with diet changes shes made. “The biggest change I’ve made since quarantine is I’m trying to eat healthier,” Falach stated, “Since I have a lot of [extra] time.”](https://www.thedowneylegend.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/unnamed-12-475x277.jpg)
![4/26/20: “I placed them [bunny drawings] all around the living room in the most obvious locations to see if they would see all of them quickly. But, first I tested my sister to see if she could find all of them and it took her about 1 minute and 40 seconds to find them all. The one in the kitchen was the one they all struggled finding for some reason. So they were trying to find all 4 but they were struggling. My sister and I started laughing at them because they had passed by the last one like three times. When they found all four I asked them which was their favorite. The one in the kitchen was their favorite because it was cartoony. Then I told my parents that one of the reasons I drew bunnies [was] to honor our pet bunny that we loved. Then my mom told my sister and I to go to the room so she could hide all the eggs in the living room. We did the little scavenger hunt as a family. My parents were watching us look for all of them while giving us clues.”](https://www.thedowneylegend.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Estephany-Hernandez-475x475.jpg)
![4/25/20: “It’s scary because over the news you hear about people dying. I was scared and I wore a face mask. Only one person was allowed into the room unlike my last pregnancy, [so] I was so happy to come home. It’s difficult because we have to tell people no they can’t see the baby as a precaution to not get her sick. They’re seeing the baby through videos, Facetime, and it’s crazy! I’m panicked; it’s really hard to do everything (anybody can get her sick) - emotionally draining.”](https://www.thedowneylegend.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Amelia-Gonzalez-469x475.jpg)
![4/22/20: “For me the quarantine has affected every aspect of my life; being stuck at home has forced me to have more responsibilities. I have to balance being a full time college student and keeping up with all the work that I’ve been assigned. It’s been a lot more stressful because my professors have been assigning a lot of work that makes it hard for me, especially since I have to also watch after my two younger siblings. One also has online courses and needs a lot of attention being in 1st grade. I have to help him with his assignments while also watching over my other brother who is only 2 years old; he requires a lot of attention. My mom’s hours have also changed at work and now that she works more hours; I’m basically the only one running the household. The thing is I also have to attend mandatory Zoom lectures and that’s also difficult because I can’t focus on my classes due to all my responsibilities. And I’ve been having to do a lot more around the house. I have a lot of chores such as picking up after my siblings and doing laundry [and] making meals. And it’s been taking a toll on me because I feel overwhelmed with everything going on, especially with my mom being on the front lines. She comes into contact with people with the virus daily so we have been taking extra precautions at home and sanitizing everything. A family friend recently passed away of covid and it was really scary for my family. It was scary for my family because this family friend lives only 5 mins. away from us.”](https://www.thedowneylegend.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Ashley-Urizar-356x475.jpg)