5 Questions with Kimberly Schnars

Sara Cabrera, Writer/ Copy Editor
November 18, 2013

Volleyball player, junior Kimberly Schnars was announced Athlete of the Week on Monday, November 4.

Q1. What emotions were you feeling upon hearing the news?

A1. I was kind of shocked when I found out because I know that Athlete of the Week is for how well you played the week before, and I don’t think I did that well last week, so I’m just like, ‘How did I get it for how I played last week?’

Q2. How long have you been playing volleyball on varsity?

A2. I have been on varsity since my freshman year, so it’s been three years now. This is my tenth year playing volleyball. Before high school, I played for a club outside of school.

Q3. Did being Athlete of the Week ever cross your mind?

A3. Yeah, being Athlete of the Week has been my goal.

Q4. Were your parents aware that being Athlete of the Week was one of your goals? How did your friends and family react?

A4. Yeah, I think my mom did. I don’t think I’ve told my dad though. My mom and friends were really proud of me and also a little shocked.

Q5. Do you plan on playing professionaly after high school?

A5. Well, I plan on playing in college and seeing where that takes me. I haven’t really planned on anywhere yet. I have my dream college, which is Pepperdine.

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.

Alexandra Menendez, Photographer

Returner Alexandra Menendez took up photography for The Downey Legend her junior year. Since the purchase of her first camera as a mere 6^th grader, photography has been a point of interest for the 17 year old; the school newspaper is just one on a long list of creative outlets she uses to express her photography skills. “I like having the ability to capture a memory before it’s gone forever.” Menendez says. Outside of campus, she refines her skills through photo-shoots with her friends and sister along the railroad tracks and otherwise simple backdrops. She plans on enrolling at San Francisco State and studying to be a professional photographer, but if all else fails, she aspires to at least be a qualified teacher. Currently, she is attending the ROP class Principles in Education to guide her into being the ideal photography instructor she aims to be.

The soft-spoken Menendez lives her life to the fullest of its potential each and every day. She is a proud film enthusiast, lover of Asian cuisine, and self-proclaimed introvert – though she claims to enjoy wasting away the weekends with her friends. Nonetheless, rather than having a traditional quinceñera with the spotlight on her, Menendez chose to travel Europe alone. “I’ve always wanted to go, just to see new places I’d never seen before.” Menendez says. “I wanted something new. She still longs to travel the rest of the world – all the while, documenting her trips through a camera lens. A small girl, Menendez has big dreams ahead of herself.