As a returner of Newspaper staff 2023-2024, Vivianna Alba, 11, is coming back as a photo editor. In her free time, Alba enjoys taking photos as a way of expressing herself, she is extremely proud of herself due to the fact that she has college scholarships as a junior in high school. She hopes to pursue a career with animals as a vet later down the road. Alba perceives herself as a shy and quiet person but in reality, is really outgoing. Alba has a lot of goals for herself this year alone. “ I hope to improve my skills because there's room for improvement as a photographer,” Abla stated. “ I want to make Newspaper more known just so they can see all the work that is being put into it.”

As well as coming in as a first year Photographer, Alisson Naranjo, 10, is part of many other activates on campus. Juggling water polo, swim, and staying at the top of her classes, Naranjo, is starting to navigate her Sophomore year. Naranjo has a system set up that allows her to find balance in school/social life so she doesn’t stress herself out. Naranjo isn’t much of a social butterfly, and instead asserts herself as an introvert. When thinking about future endeavors she would like to accomplish Naranjo has thought about going into the medical or law field. “I’m interested in both fields but I haven’t decided on one yet,” Naranjo stated. “Not everyone can do it, but I can. Both are beneficial for me and others.”

Entering her final year of high school, Sofia Basulto, is returning for the third and final year of being a writer on the Downey Legend. Although entering senior year can be bittersweet, Basulto is ready to start creating memories and writing them down along the way. After she graduates, Basulto plans to go to her dream school at NYU in hopes of becoming a screenwriter and an actress. Outside of the newspaper room, Basulto is also a part of ASB and loves helping out others. Out of Downey High, Basulto enjoys listening to music, such as Lana Del Rey, SZA, and Amy Winehouse; Basulto also enjoys reading. With her very kind and outgoing personality, Basulto hopes to encourage Dowey High and anyone out there to enjoy this 2023-2024 school year.  “ Sometimes, we just have to get out there,” Basulto stated. “ We only live once. We don’t know who can be out there. A person you have never spoken to, can be your soulmate.” 

The Downey Legend’s Co-Editor-in-Chief, Ximena Solorzano, 12, aspires to break the family cycle and experience higher education as the first member. She anticipates the adjustment to various circumstances she might encounter in the near future. Keeping calm in the face of pressure, Solorzano is open to exploring the many routes of life the world offers her while finding comfort in things that are not people along the way. Solorzano pursues the path of building her peak existence by discovering strengths and prioritizing beneficial opportunities. “Life does not follow a simple route. It goes through hills, roads, and unreal situations,” Solorzano stated. “I strive to adapt and not feel hindered by those challenges. Once I go through them and see the self-growth, my perseverance will be shown.”