About the Contributors
Serene Gallardo, Community Section Editor
Returning to The Downey Legend, junior Serene Gallardo is hoping to take more responsibility as a section editor, rather than being solely a writer. She wanted to join Newspaper after a class visit to Mrs. Ramirez’s class, and soon after, she was in. For her, Newspaper was a great platform to showcase what she loved doing the most: telling the story of thousands of Downey citizens. “For a quiet person like me,” she says, “writing is one of the best ways to express myself.”
In her free time, the 16-year-old introvert enjoys going on the internet, writing poetry, and playing Mario Kart. Musically, Gallardo’s tastes range from 80s-nostalgic tunes by The Smiths and The Cure to more modern alternative jams by Mac Demarco and Tame Impala. In the future, the writer sees herself attending a university somewhere in Northern California, where she wants to either continue her writing career or become a preschool teacher. But for now, she enters her second year with unassailable high hopes and a bright future.
In her free time, the 16-year-old introvert enjoys going on the internet, writing poetry, and playing Mario Kart. Musically, Gallardo’s tastes range from 80s-nostalgic tunes by The Smiths and The Cure to more modern alternative jams by Mac Demarco and Tame Impala. In the future, the writer sees herself attending a university somewhere in Northern California, where she wants to either continue her writing career or become a preschool teacher. But for now, she enters her second year with unassailable high hopes and a bright future.
Veronika Cedillo, Photographer
Veronika Cedillo, a 17-year-old senior, is a new member of The Downey Legend staff. After taking Photojournalism her junior year, Cedillo has decided to pursue a career in photography and thought joining the school’s newspaper would be a great place to begin her journey. Being behind the camera is where Cedillo feels the most comfortable; it is her escape from reality, her happy place. Cedillo has fallen in love with the camera and loves to capture incredible moments with a single picture. “Memorable moments don’t just have to be stored in the back of your mind,” Cedillo said. “That’s what’s so great about a camera; it allows you to actually keep something from that amazing moment that you never want to forget.”
If Cedillo isn’t busy with a camera, she may be sipping down a Double Chocolate Chip Frappuccino from Starbucks with her friends or walking her Maltese Mix dog along the shore of the beach. Someday, Cedillo would like to work for National Geographic and travel the world doing what she enjoys the most: taking pictures. “If you are lucky enough to find something you are truly passionate about, then you should do everything to pursue that dream,” Cedillo said. “Don’t let anything or anyone stop you from achieving your goals.” Cedillo is looking forward to her first year on The Downey Legend’s 2013-2014 staff.
If Cedillo isn’t busy with a camera, she may be sipping down a Double Chocolate Chip Frappuccino from Starbucks with her friends or walking her Maltese Mix dog along the shore of the beach. Someday, Cedillo would like to work for National Geographic and travel the world doing what she enjoys the most: taking pictures. “If you are lucky enough to find something you are truly passionate about, then you should do everything to pursue that dream,” Cedillo said. “Don’t let anything or anyone stop you from achieving your goals.” Cedillo is looking forward to her first year on The Downey Legend’s 2013-2014 staff.