The Downey Legend

Matthew Palencia

Matthew Palencia, Photographer

Matthew Palencia, a Downey Legend photographer who is 18 years old joined Downey’s newspaper to experience a class that’s also an activity, get more into photographing, and to overcome his shyness. Palencia is fascinated how taking a picture captures emotions in that moment. “ Really did I take that? No I didn’t take that? That’s not going to happen again.” Is what he says when he takes an amazing picture. Palenica met a Columbian man who was in love with capturing pictures. The man inspired him and showed him many things about capturing beautiful and meaning pictures.

During his free time, Palencia likes to play soccer with his family and friends. He does not take the game seriously; he just plays for fun and to bond with his family. His favorite foods are chicken and cheeseburgers. Palencia loves dogs; he has a poodle that’s 2 years old. When Matthew graduates this year, his goals are to go to a community college then into a university to major in photography. Palencia hopes to accomplish his goals on being a photographer.

All content by Matthew Palencia
On June 3, in the gym, junior Cintia Macias, a member of the yearbook staff, helps pass out drinks to the students who showed up for the yearbook distribution party. “I was happy to see the students looking at the book and smiling because their friends are in it,” Macias said, “I loved the excitement the students got when they got the yearbook.”

[Photo] A sense of nostalgia

Natalie Gomez, Arts & Entertainment Section Editor/ Staff Writer
June 15, 2015
Cheerleader Mikayla Minnig, 11, and her mom Mrs. Minnig, have a brief mother and daughter time around the Downey High school campus on Mar. 16. Between cheer and homework, we spend a good portion of our time volunteering for the Arthritis Foundation, since Mikayla has Juvenile Arthritis,” Mrs. Minnig said. “I am really proud to be a Cheer Mama and will support my daughter in all of her adventures in life.

[Photo] Mama Minnig

Mehak Khan, Staff Writer
March 30, 2015
In room S-6 on Feb. 25, Mr. Witkin, displays the lacrosse shirt he wore as an extra in the movie American Pie. “[Being] able to look and see a TV show and movies that I know I was in, and to play a part in that in history, is pretty cool,” Mr. Witkin said.

[Photo] Accidental fame

Mehak Khan, Staff Writer
March 11, 2015
On Feb. 23, in the north parking lot of Downey High School, Lorena Pedroza, 12, explains the pros of gas prices dropping. “I like having extra cash so I can spend on food,” Pedroza said.

[Photo] Fill it up

Mia Dixon-Slaughter, Co-Editor-in-Cheif
February 25, 2015
ERWC teacher Mrs. Ordway-Roach, in room R-8, is happy being teacher of the month, but wonders how she won it. “I just got lucky and someone remembered my name,” Mrs. Ordway-Roach said.

[Photo] Ordway is the way

Mireya Navarro, Staff Writer
February 2, 2015
On Wed., Nov. 12, Kyle Lucena, 11, demonstrates her love for music with instruments like the ukulele, which drives her to create videos of herself performing music on YouTube. “When I perform a song, I honestly feel shy and I get these weird butterflies when people are watching me,” Lucena said. “I love singing and preforming for people.”

[Photo] Video girl

Sophie Prettyman, Staff Writer
January 21, 2015
On Oct. 8, in room C-114, Mr. Massey reviews graphing quadratic functions in standard form, with his Algebra II, for the next math lesson. “I’m most excited about officially being apart of the Downey family and continuing to improve as an educator,” Mr. Massey said.

[Photo] Here to stay

Mia Dixon-Slaughter, Co-Editor-in-Cheif
October 29, 2014
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Matthew Palencia