Taking a stand against bullying

Celeste Lira

To stress the importance against bullying at Downey High, ASB posts posters around campus to encourage students to act kind towards one another, during the week of Sept. 14 to Sept. 21. “Our ASB students believe that kids shouldn’t be bullied,” Activities Director Mr. Weisenberger said.

Joey Flores, News Editor
October 9, 2012

During the week of Sept. 17to the 21, the Downey Unified School District participated in spreading a message that told victims of bullying that they are not alone, as bullying has resulted in tragedy to people across the globe. Anti-Bully Week was a way to inform people who are victims of bullying that there are people who are against it.

“They [those who are bullied] haven’t forgotten. They may be nice to you, but they haven’t forgotten,” Stephen Sanders said as he addressed Anti-Bully Week to his AP Euro class. He was speaking about a theoretical kid that “everybody” bullied going to a high school reunion.

His students briefly talked amongst themselves after he said this, because most of the students know a kid that is commonly bullied. Sanders then went on to say that in his high school years he was a witness to people being bullied, but he regretfully didn’t do anything to stop it. The class then erupted and gave Sanders comments of disapproval, showing that the class was well aware of the negative effects that bullying can result in.

Though people may not see it, victims of bullying are all around. ASB had an opportunity to take Anti-Bully Week to another school in the district with help from the cheerleaders. ASB member Karen Gill, 12, is one of the active members who made sure Anti-Bully Week was well known not only at Downey, but at Gallatin Elementary School as well.

“We also helped Gallatin because they asked us to make posters for them, so we helped them out,” Gill said,” and I know the cheerleaders went and had a little performance for them.”

ASB agreed to help of helping Gallatin because they felt it was important to get the message out that bullying is wrong, even to people who possibly haven’t been exposed to it yet. Getting this message out to younger elementary students that might not have seen this yet gives them an early start to an anti-bully view of life. Giving these elementary students these views will hopefully rid them of the immoral characteristics that lead to bullying.

Director of Activities for ASB, Gordon Weisenburger, played a part in bringing Anti-Bully Week to Downey High School.

“I don’t know if there’s going to be a real end to it, but because kids are being bullied, we felt that there should be a week designated to helping to stop it,” Weisenburger said.

Weisenburger and ASB are only a few of the people at Downey High School who believe that there needs to be a stop to the pestering of countless students. ASB worked towards spreading the message by putting up posters around campus that promoted anti-bullying with the intention of being noticed. They also made announcements about anti-bullying that sometimes included stories or quotes. Although there may not be a certain way in getting rid of bullies for good, prevention is possible.

Anti-Bully Week gives more reason to efforts that are given in stopping verbal and physical hate aimed at people who haven’t done anything to deserve it. Downey High School realizes the importance of these efforts, so that is why it is active in fighting it. Downey may not be able to stop it, but won’t stop trying to prevent it.

About the Contributors

Joey Flores, News Editor

Joey Flores is a 14-year-old sophomore at Downey High as well as a writer and News Editor for The Downey Legend. Flores chose to join the 2012-2013 staff because he wants to gain experience in journalism, since he aspires to work for Details or Rolling Stone magazine. He plans to attend the University of Oxford or NYU. “I have a minor obsession with the U.K.,” Flores said when asked why he wanted to attend the University of Oxford. He admitted that he will miss his friends and family when he’s away for college, although he won’t be missing the California weather. The News Editor always preferred English over any other subject. “When I was younger I always preferred English because I felt that I had the freedom when it came to creative writing,” Flores said. Along with being on the newspaper, he is also taking Honors English 10, which will help enhance his writing skills. Flores’ main goals are to fulfill everything that comes his way and to come up with interesting stories that will receive multiple views.

The staff member enjoys listening to indie and alternative rock. He is a big fan of the 80s band, The Smiths. Flores loves doing community service and is a member of the Key Club. The News Editor enjoys helping others and wants to help “beautify the community.” Flores has volunteered at recovery centers, like Rancho Los Amigos. He participated in a carnival for the disabled patients at the RLARC. “It was very eye-opening because you realize that they are incapable of doing much, but they never give up,” he said. Although Flores has a lot on his plate- being The Downey Legend’s News Editor, volunteering at rehabilitation centers, and succeeding in AP European History and Honors English 10- he will manage to stay on top of everything and make his sophomore year a memorable one.

Celeste Lira, Photo Editor

Senior Celeste Lira is this year’s 2012-2013 Photo Editor for The Downey Legend. In hopes of becoming a better photographer, Lira landed a position on staff to allow her to get more experience in becoming a professional photographer. “It sounded fun and it would be a good experience being part of this school since I just moved to this school sophomore year and not living in Downey and all,” Lira said. Taking Photo 1 last year, Lira took an interest in photography, but she didn’t know she was going to like it as much as she does now. She continued to pursue her new interest and is also currently in Advanced Photo.

This year will be her first and last with The Downey Legend, so she hopes to make the most of it. Her goals for this year are to get more students excited about the online newspaper, thus gaining popularity for the site. Aside from photography, Lira plays guitar and plans to one day travel the world.