Renovation of the Writing Center

Angelica Fregoso, Staff Writer
October 28, 2015

At the beginning of the 2015-2016 school year, Downey High School’s Writing Center was upgraded from a grim Z-Bungalow, which primarily served as a room where students sent to tardy-sweep could be preoccupied in, to a room located in front of one of the latest additions to the school: the A-Building.

As stated in the Writing Center Training Manual, the key objective of the Writing Center is to “Continue to make better writers, not better writing” (Crespo 1). The idea of its implementation into Downey High School was proposed in December of 2012 and executed two months later.

The founding-mother of the Writing Center is ninth grade honors English teacher Mrs. Crespo, who shared what sparked her inspiration for the creation of the Writing Center.

“I worked in the program at Cal State Fullerton,” Crespo said, “it made me part of the teacher I am today.”

Then, she relayed how Mr. Houts, Mrs. Bean, and Mrs. Carlson were fundamental during the execution of her plan. She also added that last year’s Writing Center tutors accomplished nearly 1,300 tutorials last year.

Writing Center tutors consist of juniors, seniors, and four college students, as well as President Fernando Mandujano.

“I just like helping people,” Mandujano stated, “and one day I hope to pursue a career in writing.”

Junior, Andrew Bilodeau, one of the Writing Center’s new tutors, is eagerly anticipating the responsibilities awaiting him.

“I’m really looking forward to being a tutor because I like to help people,” Bilodeau said. “I’m also excited for the new atmosphere that lets us welcome people who want help on their writing, plus we have awesome tutors so no matter who you get you’ll get great advice and a great experience.”

Mandujano provided simple recommendations in regard to how students could get the most out of their Writing Center visit.

“They have to come in with a positive attitude,” Mandujano said, “they can’t walk in expecting the tutor to write their paper for them.”

Freshmen and sophomores who need tutoring should walk into their appointment seeking counsel regarding their writing, not merely their assignment.

After attending her first successful Writing Center appointment, freshman, Hannah Levinson reflected on the benefits she gained as a writer.

“I felt the Writing Center helped me a lot,” Levinson said. “It helped me improve with my writing to the point where I understand to write better.”

Among the multitude of the Writing Center’s features Crespo acknowledged, one in particular stuck out to her as her favorite.

“My favorite part is happening right now…I love when everyone is talking about writing,” Crespo said. “High school students, young people talking about writing; you get to watch students get excited and the light bulb turn on in their head.”

Downey High school’s student body will benefit from the Writing Center’s upgrade, whether it is through knowledge gained regarding how to construct an effective thesis, or by practicing patience while serving others.

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About the Contributor

Angelica Fregoso, Staff Writer

After realizing that 4,382 students registered in less than a week to join Downey High School, Angelica Fregoso had the desire to go out there and spread the word about newspaper. She cannot wait to interview new students and write their stories to fit in with the others located in the Legends category.

“Nobody in this school really knows each other,” Fregoso said. “I mean there are so many students now, so I believe it is possible to have them get to know one another by getting to read each others’ stories on Downey Legend.”

If she is able to promote newspaper to the students, then those students can read stories about others’ lives and view them differently.

“Many people, many stories,” Fregoso said, “and when students pass each other without knowing who they're walking by, mainly because of how they dress or how they talk, it's kind of sad, because one can't simply judge a book by its cover.”

She knows how it feels to walk past students and not know who they are. During her freshman year, Fregoso moved to Downey High from St. Emydius, a private middle school, that only had about 250 students.

“That school was so little,” Fregoso said, “almost everyone knew each other.”

During the middle of her sophomore year, former newspaper writer, Akhila Nalamilli, mentioned the Downey Legend newspaper with Fregoso.

“Angelica is a very nice girl,” Nalamilli said. “Her writing is amazingly done and a great use for newspaper.”

Fregoso's love for writing came to her when she was in first grade; as she started taking tests on The Magic Treehouse: Age of Dinosaurs, she loved the idea of being able to write her own stories and include her own characters and make her own world.

It is not really a goal to write those kinds of stories to this day, Fregoso pointed out. Joining newspaper was to become open-minded and to write actual stories of actual people rather than typing fiction.

“Although it seemed interesting to write what I want my characters to say and how I want my world to work out,” Fregoso said, “I think it's better to write what real characters say and how their worlds work.”

Knowing how she had a flowing passion to accomplish this goal, Norma Fregoso, mother of Angelica, agrees that she can do it.

“My daughter has always been a creative writer,” Mrs. Fregoso said. “Ever since she was a young child, she has expressed interest for writing stories.”

Fregoso's writing also inspired her friends to improve on various things like essays and CQTs.

“Angelica's very passionate and puts all her emotions into her work,” Carolina Marin, Fregoso's best friend said. “Not everyone has the ability to express themselves correctly, and I feel that she is capable of conveying her point thoroughly and emotionally without confusing or misleading the reader.”

With much more to experience, Fregoso patiently waits for what stories she will be writing about in newspaper, and to obtain knowledge about the lives of students, teachers, and the citizens of Downey.

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The Downey Legend

Renovation of the Writing Center

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