Entering her junior year, Podcaster and Multi-Media Manager, Madeline Hidalgo is in her 2nd year on the Downey Legend staff. The Downey Legend is just one of many things Hidalgo is involved in. Hidalgo is the Vice President of Eco club, President of Youth for Change, 3rd year intern at UNA Whittier Chapter, writing center tutor, and part of the yearbook staff.

Hidalgo’s future is very important to her, she stated “My top choice for college is Carnegie Mellon University, I’m really interested in pursuing civil engineering, it is the school of my dreams."

As an incoming photographer and podcaster, Zinadin Rosales, 10, is first year staff member of The Downey Legend in which he wishes to input all of his creativity and build connections with the team. Rosales is a very sociable person which allows him to easily connect with people and create friendships. Aside from newspaper, Rosales is also involved in the Downey Water Polo Swim team; as his second year in the team he hopes to win CIF this year. Fun fact: Rosales has been swimming for almost his whole life; 10 years. In the future, he hopes to have his own business, whether it’s focused on stocks or clothing. 

As someone who’s creative as well as loving, Rosales believes we could make a change with great ideas. “Life is valuable and expressing the way through my creativity can make the world a better place” stated Rosales.  There is not a lot than meets the eye but having a good heart is important; meeting new people is a great way to be social…be the person to help improve the next generation.” 

This being his first year at the Downey Legend, Anthony Torrez De La O, 12, plans to use his last year at Downey to work on his skills as a podcaster and journalist. He’s a very articulated person and always knows how to keep a conversation going to get the information he is aiming for. De La O finds enjoyment in being able to be one of the people get their information from, and with his well articulated way with words, he plans to work towards eventually becoming news anchor. 

“It feels good to deliver the news to people. People have always depended on that one channel for what is going on around the world,” De La O stated. “You have the power to entertain and inform. It’s important to have reliable and valid news and information.”

As a first year podcaster for the downey legend this year, Marisa Vallejo is a junior and is an active member of the community already. As a youth group leader for Camp Savio she is familiar with giving back to the community and being a part of a team. Outside of school, she’s a babysitter to her kid niece, and nephews. She’s looking forward to collaborating and growing as an individual this year through sharing ideas and stories with the Downey Legend team. Some of her personal philosophies include, “block out the haters” and “fake it till you make it”. She describes herself as a personable, honest, individual who loves to talk.

 

 “My grandpa was a hard worker, I saw him happy and he inspired me to be happy and work hard because it pays off…” Vallejo states, attributing him as one of her biggest inspirations.