The Downey Legend

Esther Rodriguez

Esther Rodriguez, Parents & Teachers Section Editor

Entering her second year as a writer for The Downey Legend, senior Esther Rodriguez has high hopes. As a sophomore, she heard about joining Newspaper during the morning announcements and her English teacher, Mr. Kraus, encouraged her to fill out an application and display her knack for writing. This inspired her to apply and see if she could make it, which she did. Rodriguez joined in hopes of improving her writing skills, becoming less shy, and learning to write in more detail. To her, the best part about being on the newspaper staff is finding out about interesting, random things going on around the school. “There are things you would not know just coming to school, but being in Newspaper you learn things that aren’t common knowledge,” Rodriguez said. “We are the eyes and ears of the school.”

In her down time, Rodriguez enjoys reading young adult literature, writing fictional stories, and spending quality time with her cell phone on websites like YouTube, Tumblr, and Twitter. Besides being in Newspaper at school, she is also a new tutor at Downey High’s Writing Center. Writing as much as possible is important to her because she dreams of one day being an author. Along with chasing her aspirations of writing for a living, after she finishes high school, Rodriguez also looks forward to attending a university such as UCLA, San Diego State, or UC San Diego and obtaining a degree in English. Next summer, she will also be going on a missionary trip with church to Japan. Although her head is full of thoughts about the surreal future, for now Rodriguez is focusing on her schoolwork and activities and soaking up her last year as a high schooler.

All content by Esther Rodriguez
At Downey High’s pool, on June 3, seniors Haley Lueanos, Miriam Castillo and junior Raven Perez, take a swim for the final Amigos Club BBQ of the school year. “The pool party was really fun,” Castillo said. “It was a great time and very relaxing.”

Amigos make a splash

Esther Rodriguez, Parents & Teachers Section Editor
June 16, 2015
On Apr. 23, Downey students receive the opportunity to attend the Families Against Sex Trafficking presentation. One of the sex trafficking victims made an appearance and gave a speech about what she had gone through.

Victims speak out

Esther Rodriguez, Parents & Teachers Section Editor
May 15, 2015
On Fri. Mar. 13, the Krikorian movie theater in Downey releases Disney’s newest film: Cinderella. Famous stars such as Lilly James, Richard Madden, and Helen Bonham Carter played main characters of the movie.

Have courage and be kind

Esther Rodriguez, Parents & Teachers Section Editor
March 25, 2015

Feeling good with you

Esther Rodriguez, Parents & Teachers Section Editor
March 4, 2015
In B-111, at Downey High School, history teacher, Ms. Rauls, accomplishes what she has wanted since she was young: becoming a fully credentialed teacher. “I have been able to see the view of my education through the eyes of my teachers,” Rauls stated.

New around here

Esther Rodriguez, Parents & Teachers Section Editor
February 17, 2015
Zoryana Keske and Vaughn Lewis sit outside of Stay Gallery in Downey, on Jan. 24, to support their event of Maidan. Ukraine. Road to Freedom. “This is for the Ukrainian people,” Keske said, “who right now are fighting for their freedom.”

Showing the road to freedom

Esther Rodriguez, Parents & Teachers Section Editor
January 28, 2015
On Jan. 15, in the gym during a wrestling match against Warren, Angel Baez, 12, goes for a pin against a Warren wrestler. “Before each match I try to get into my zone, so I can just focus on the match,” Angel Baez said.

Victorious Vikes

Esther Rodriguez, Parents & Teachers Section Editor
January 28, 2015
5 Questions with Nick Almada

5 Questions with Nick Almada

Esther Rodriguez, Parents & Teachers Section Editor
December 3, 2014
On October 7, Brooke Cuttress, 12, and Joshua Franco, 12, displays what their modeling and photography jobs consist of outside of school, both having different personality’s enjoy working together as co-workers. Franco and his dad own Red Crew Films, where they photograph and video events, and LAModelMagazine, a fashion magazine with beauty tips and lifestyle guides; Cutress is their main model, but she also works for different companies such as Blim girl, for brands that endorse NASCAR, and can be seen in their ads and headers for their website and Facebook page.

5 Questions with Brooke Cuttress and Joshua Franco

Esther Rodriguez, Parents & Teachers Section Editor
November 12, 2014

Traveling back to 1989 in style

Esther Rodriguez, Parents & Teachers Section Editor
November 4, 2014
On Sat., Mar. 22, the Stonewood Center hosts the annual Arc Walk for Independence to raise money for people with disabilities. The Arc Walk has helped over 400 children and adults.

Walking for independence

Esther Rodriguez, Parents & Teachers Section Editor
April 4, 2014
On Tues., Mar. 4, Mr. Pittenger counts the plants and gets them ready for his next Botany class. “Plants have the ability to do cool things animals can’t,” Pittinger said. “You can do surgery and clone them.”

Botany Sales

Esther Rodriguez, Parents & Teachers Section Editor
March 10, 2014
1.	At 8:30a.m. on Sat. Feb., 15, at Griffiths Middle School, spectators watch as the horn goes off and participants of the Help 2 Heal a Heart begin the two mile run. The event was held in memory of a child lost to cancer in 2010 at age 13; his mother, Kim Jones, started the Always a Mom Foundation to help raise funds for programs and services to help mothers and families trying to overcome the passing of a child in the family.

Always A Mom

Esther Rodriguez, Parents & Teachers Section Editor
February 25, 2014

Beat those Bears

Esther Rodriguez, Parents & Teachers Section Editor
January 24, 2014

The Day of the Doctor

Esther Rodriguez, Parents & Teachers Section Editor
December 13, 2013
While she’s adjusting to being the new, temporary librarian, Yvette Flores substitutes for her sister Martha Ortiz, who is on maternity leave. “There’s always a lot of stuff to do, even though it looks like I don’t really much, I do,” Flores said. “I have an agenda I have to follow.”

Substituting a sister

Esther Rodriguez, Parents & Teachers Section Editor
November 18, 2013
Five Questions with Christian Cruz

Five Questions with Christian Cruz

Esther Rodriguez, Parents & Teachers Section Editor
November 1, 2013

Let me be your ruler

Esther Rodriguez, Parents & Teachers Section Editor
October 15, 2013
Five Questions with Alex Perez

Five Questions with Alex Perez

Esther Rodriguez, Parents & Teachers Section Editor
October 4, 2013
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Esther Rodriguez