No Maybes
December 14, 2015
Girls soccer began their pre-season on Thurs., Dec. 2 against Long Beach Poly, and although the varsity team ended with a strong tie, the girls still began their pre-season with a victory.
During the game, they focused on their main goal: to become a better team. The girls did not give up because they knew that every minute in the game was critical.
“I think this season will be good for us because we have a lot of motivation and ambition,” Alyssa Skobis, 12, said. “My teammates this season have a lot of heart and I feel like we will take it all this year.”
The athletes have a similar mindset in which to excel by challenging their capabilities and constantly becoming better players surrounding them by their motivated teammates.
“There are a few new girls this season,” Rebecca Powell, 12, said, “so far we have a strong bond and we all have potential; we just need to work as a family.”
Recently coined by the U.S. women’s national soccer team’s slogan, “no maybes” the soccer program at Downey has been spreading #NOMAYBES all over social media to share their devotion and desire in becoming better soccer players.
“We like to say no maybes because it basically means don’t doubt yourself,” Brittany Reynoso, 12, said, “and to commit to whatever you want to do.”
Their discipline, desire, and determination is what makes them prepared to have a successful season. They will be facing their next opponent on Tues., Dec. 8 against Lakewood.
“I want to become a more creative writer and open-minded,” Vega said. “If I do enjoy writing this year, then I would definitely choose to pursue it as a career.”
Similarly, AP student, Isaac Hernandez, hopes to have a fruitful senior year that does not include so much stress. He is currently taking three AP classes and is a club organizer for ASB.
“By the end of my senior year, I want to not lose my sanity while maintaining a cool demeanor as I juggle all my classes and extracurricular,” Hernandez said. “AP government is my favorite class so far because it serves as a good background for my career as I intend to go to law school.”
Both Hernandez and Vega share the same attitude towards not losing it while taking so many AP classes. Not only does Vega aspire to do her best, she also looks forward to gaining beneficial information from her classes and peers, while at the same time having an awesome time learning.
Andrea Laguna, another delighted Downey High School senior, is taking an engineering class in design this year. She views this class as an innovative and fun learning challenge that she hopes to gain a lot from.
“It’s [Engineering] a lot more work than one might think,” Laguna said. “I really hope that by the end of my senior year I will be able to design something so incredible, and that I will be able to build and be proud of.”
Vega’s motivation and enthusiasm are great contributors to her future success and they are what keeps her going. By the end of her senior year, Vega just hopes to find what her passion is and she is also exciting to move to a new city, wherever her future college might be!
“Anything that anyone can express himself or herself with can be art really… from
Afros to oil paintings,” Villalobos said. “You don’t decide to be an artist you are born an artist.”
Growing up with a massive influence from her grandma who never shielded her from
the real world and never growning up . Villalobos was able to comprehend that art is not perfect and see that a color is more than just it’s literal meaning. She has constantly keept trying because she loves art so much she throws herself at it in hopes for the best.
Sarah Noel, best friend of Villalobos ever since the eighth grade talked about her close
friend with such admiration.
“It’s how she can unwind and really let herself be free,”
Noel said. “If you watch her when she’s doing something she loves whether it be
talking to her friends or working on her art, you can see that focus and passion in
her eyes… it’s really amazing.”
Art will always be a huge part of her life even if she chooses not to fully focus on it
after high school. Art allows her to create amazing things that will take your breath away,
that is why people who are close to her have all the confidence on the world that
one day she will go as far, as long as she believes in herself.
During Villalobos junior year she met the person who came to be her mentor, Mr. Rios
he, happened to grow up with the influence from his
father who was a painter himself. Mr. Rios was able to see all the potential Julissa
has.
“It’s palpable; like the way tension feels in a room, only hers is positive, excited. Her
eyes brighten up. It’s visceral. You can see that it occupies her fully,” Rios said.
“That’s the way it should be for any passion- is it’s not everything, it’s nothing.”
Villalobos passion for art goes beyond a simple “I like art.” For her it is a way of life,
something that when in a bad mood, it would instantly calm her down. She can see
behind the meaning of a simple object. Although she might or might not do it fully it
will always occupy a space in her heart. When talking to her she makes you want to
go out there to find what you love and for it for the rest of your life.
Soon to graduate, Villalobos plans her future exquisitely, just like any other she plans
to go to college, and continue to pursue her artistic aspirations no matter what the
future may bring whether it is struggles or achievements art will always fully
occupy her.
![The Commissioner of the CIF Southern Section, Rob Wigod, came to Downey High School to talk to the 1,300+ student-athletes about “Pursuing Victory with Honor” on February 13. “I came to talk to all student-athletes to make them aware of the strong impact you [they] have on any younger/upcoming student-athletes,” Wigod said. “If a child comes to your game and sees the determination and persistence in your performance, what do you think that child will do? They would want to be like you one day.”](https://www.thedowneylegend.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/sports.assembly-316x475.jpg)
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