5 Questions With Mr. Hansen
May 27, 2016
After eleven long years as drama teacher, Mr. Hansen will be stepping down and handing the drama-teaching baton to Ms. Simpson.
Q1: What has been your biggest achievement as a Drama teacher?
“A few years ago we put on a production of Little Shop of Horrors, and the whole community joined forces. With the art class, woodshop, and a live band helping out, it made the play so much stronger because it brought the whole community together. That’s what theatre is all about, coming together and making something bigger than ourselves.”
Q2: How do you feel about starting a new chapter in life as a father?
“I’m excited but also completely terrified![nervous chuckle]”
Q3: What are you going to miss the most from your drama-teaching days?
“The kids, definitely. I get to see them grow up throughout a production; it’s great.”
Q4: Do you think you will have difficulty transitioning from drama teacher to solely English?
“It’s funny because back when I first started teaching here at Downey, I was teaching 9th grade English and I couldn’t wait to be a drama teacher, but now I’m doing the complete opposite. I think the English department is one of the strongest departments and I’m sure they’ll help guide me, and I can go to them if I have any questions.”
Q5: How do you think Ms. Simpson is going to do as your replacement?
“I think she’s going to do great! She knows what the youngin’s are into and I feel like she can bring a new light to Drama, that I could never do.”
“I’m really critical of my work,” Macias said. “Naturally, I didn’t think that me, out of all the other wonderful photographers on staff, would be photo editor.”
Having little to no interest in the subject, Macias took a liking to photography after an opening for yearbook, just a week before her junior year. At first not being sure, photography would later become one of her greatest passions, although she still had a lot to learn.
“I didn’t know how to teach her. It was an entirely new concept for her and she had no interest in it until about a week before she started her junior year. I couldn’t project what I knew and what was in my head to her,” sister Cindy Macias said. “I always love seeing new photos of events she goes to.”
While being shy at first, Macias has been able to develop many things thanks to photography. Having the will to learn, and being able to seek help from the then photo editor, Fernando Mandujano, Macias was able to come out of her comfort zone, meet new people, and become a leader, all while doing something she loves.
“She’s definitely learned to become more of a leader because of photography,” Mandujano said. “She can lead a group of photographers and she’s managed to teach them how to work with cameras.”
Macias plans on pursuing a career in photography in the future, with her goal being able to work for a big publishing firm and becoming a well-known photographer.
“I learned how to become a leader,” Mandujano said, “through photography I learned not to be afraid.”
His passion for photography influenced him to take three extra curricular activities: ASB, Yearbook, and Newspaper. For these classes, he is required to shoot pictures of events. While shooting a swim meet at Downey High School, Mandujano captured one of the Santa Fe High swimmers during the 50-meter butterfly event. He entered the photo to the Stay Gallery Stay Young competition and placed second.
“It felt pretty cool to win second,” Mandujano said. “I didn’t expect to win that night.”
He is not the only one that had doors open his way.
Joaquin Oropeza,12, is able to connect with his emotional side better. He is taking AP Lit and Yearbook. With these classes, he is developing skills that he will pursue in writing.
“It helps me express myself in a way I couldn’t do so before,” Oropeza said. “It also allows me to be creative and to tell a story.”
Downey High School’s Yearbook adviser, Mr. Nunley, enjoys having Mandujano as a student and understands him well because they both have a lot on their plate.
“I’m inspired by how involved he is with this school and how he’s willing to help not just Yearbook, but dedicate his time anywhere he can to make Downey High School a better place,” Nunley said.
Mandujano’s long-term goals include continuing his photographic journey into University of California, Santa Barbara and major in communications. Once he majors in communications he will go into journalism and broadcasting. He stays positive through his work, so he hopes that more doors will keep opening his way.
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