Struggling Artist Remains Positive Amidst The Coronavirus
May 13, 2020
Downey, California, U.S. All photos provided by interviewees.
04/23/2020: "I currently attend the Theater of Arts, a 2-year acting conservatory; I graduate this December. As far as music goes, I've been playing ever since I was little, [since] both sides of my family play have musicians. I play guitar, drums, and a little bit of piano. I've been in several bands in Downey and have been doing stand-up comedy since November. I usually perform at the comedy store in Hollywood, but I recently lost my job, [and] now all my classes are now online. I had to file for unemployment and sign up for food stamps to survive. I was supposed to move out into a brand new apartment in Hollywood but, because I lost my job, I couldn't afford it anymore and had to give it up. I think people need to stay positive: read, watch, and listen to positive material! Be with family, or FaceTime them if you aren't with them physically. Stay active, be informed, and stay home! At least that's what's helping me."
About the Contributor
Clarissa Arceo, Photographer
New student from St. Pius, Clarissa Arceo, 12, is starting her first year as a photographer in Downey High School’s newspaper, The Downey Legend. Arceo has a passion for photojournalism and wants to pursue her dream as a photojournalist. Arceo has taken summer courses at her dream universities, USC and Stanford, to flourish her writing and picture taking skills.
Arceo loves to help people in anyway she can, whether it’s doing favors, tutoring, or helping people obtain and achieve their goal. “I like helping people individually,” Aceo said. “Which is why I have also considered psychology and teaching.” Being in The Downey Legend makes her more available to the community to communicate and help people.
Arceo loves to help people in anyway she can, whether it’s doing favors, tutoring, or helping people obtain and achieve their goal. “I like helping people individually,” Aceo said. “Which is why I have also considered psychology and teaching.” Being in The Downey Legend makes her more available to the community to communicate and help people.
![4/26/20: “I placed them [bunny drawings] all around the living room in the most obvious locations to see if they would see all of them quickly. But, first I tested my sister to see if she could find all of them and it took her about 1 minute and 40 seconds to find them all. The one in the kitchen was the one they all struggled finding for some reason. So they were trying to find all 4 but they were struggling. My sister and I started laughing at them because they had passed by the last one like three times. When they found all four I asked them which was their favorite. The one in the kitchen was their favorite because it was cartoony. Then I told my parents that one of the reasons I drew bunnies [was] to honor our pet bunny that we loved. Then my mom told my sister and I to go to the room so she could hide all the eggs in the living room. We did the little scavenger hunt as a family. My parents were watching us look for all of them while giving us clues.”](https://www.thedowneylegend.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Estephany-Hernandez-475x475.jpg)
![4/25/20: “It’s scary because over the news you hear about people dying. I was scared and I wore a face mask. Only one person was allowed into the room unlike my last pregnancy, [so] I was so happy to come home. It’s difficult because we have to tell people no they can’t see the baby as a precaution to not get her sick. They’re seeing the baby through videos, Facetime, and it’s crazy! I’m panicked; it’s really hard to do everything (anybody can get her sick) - emotionally draining.”](https://www.thedowneylegend.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Amelia-Gonzalez-469x475.jpg)
![4/22/20: “For me the quarantine has affected every aspect of my life; being stuck at home has forced me to have more responsibilities. I have to balance being a full time college student and keeping up with all the work that I’ve been assigned. It’s been a lot more stressful because my professors have been assigning a lot of work that makes it hard for me, especially since I have to also watch after my two younger siblings. One also has online courses and needs a lot of attention being in 1st grade. I have to help him with his assignments while also watching over my other brother who is only 2 years old; he requires a lot of attention. My mom’s hours have also changed at work and now that she works more hours; I’m basically the only one running the household. The thing is I also have to attend mandatory Zoom lectures and that’s also difficult because I can’t focus on my classes due to all my responsibilities. And I’ve been having to do a lot more around the house. I have a lot of chores such as picking up after my siblings and doing laundry [and] making meals. And it’s been taking a toll on me because I feel overwhelmed with everything going on, especially with my mom being on the front lines. She comes into contact with people with the virus daily so we have been taking extra precautions at home and sanitizing everything. A family friend recently passed away of covid and it was really scary for my family. It was scary for my family because this family friend lives only 5 mins. away from us.”](https://www.thedowneylegend.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Ashley-Urizar-356x475.jpg)
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