Pueblo Magnet High School

In Memory Of Martha Arellano

// May 11th, 2012 // No Comments » // In Memory

In Memory Of Martha Arellano 1963-2012

The Pueblo Community lost a dear friend and colleague, Mrs. Martha Arellano-Gutierrez, on April 18. Martha devoted 17 years at Pueblo, beginning as a receptionist and then becoming a staff assistant and an attendance clerk. She also volunteered much of her time with Pueblo’s after school activities.

Pueblo teachers and staff members remember Martha fondly and with great affection.

I am so sad to hear the news about Martha. She was so wonderful and funny. I will always treasure our discussions on caffeine and “cat reactions”. (Dr. Andrew Lettes)

Every morning, one of the first people I would see would be Martha. She always greeted me warmly with a big smile on her face. (Ms. Crystal Reedy)

Martha always said hi and asked how you were and listened and responded to the answer. I miss her smile. So so sad. (Ms. Sally Rusk)

I met Martha Arellano my first day as a Pueblo teacher. From day one, she was always very professional… and very nice! She was never too busy to help me. She also had a great sense of humor. I felt shocked and sad, and my heart goes out to her family. (Mr. Don Robertson)

Martha was always a bright spot in my life; I loved her friendship, her humor, her kindness. You will remain forever wonderful in my heart, Martha. (Ms. Maria Bicknell)

I will always remember Martha’s smile and warm greeting whenever I saw her. (Ms. Theresa Ellis)

I will always miss her “Good mornings!” (Mr. Virgil Henderson)

I will miss her friendly smile, and I am very grateful to her for keeping an eye on my kids when they were attending PHS. They always had someone else to go to when they had questions or concerns. She showed them that she cared. She supported YES Club activities and gave up her lunch hour to help clean up the campus, and she did it with motherly coaxing and a smile. My family will miss her dearly. (Ms. Martha Avila-Miranda, M.Ed)

Martha always laughed at my jokes! (Ms. Sal Vitale)

I first met Martha when I started here at Pueblo in 2009. My first office was in the attendance office, and I got to know her fairly well. She always called me Alonzo, and it took her about two months to get used to calling me Lorenzo. She (along with many of the attendance and office staff) was instrumental in helping me to get settled and situated here at Pueblo. She was a proud mom and an even prouder Nana. I know she will be missed greatly by the Pueblo family. Rest well, my friend. (Mr. Lorenzo Chavez, former GEAR UP College Coach & TRiO Coordinator)

Martha had a special way with people. She knew everyone who came through that door, greeted all of them and made them feel special. I will miss her. (Ms. Marina Ordoñez)

I will forever cherish the times we spent together working the gate at the football games. I will miss her laugh and hugs. I will miss you, buddy. (Mr. Mario Matanza)

In 1997, when Martha was the receptionist at the counseling office, my office as the parent and student liaison was over there. One day, I came to work very upset because a dog I was taking care of destroyed something that was very dear and precious to me. She got me to stop crying, but every time someone walked into my office they would ask what was wrong because it was obvious I had been crying, and I would just start crying all over again. So, Martha made four signs and posted them outside of my office where everyone coming in would see. They read : “ PLEASE DO NOT ASK EVELIA WHAT IS WRONG!” It worked! I will miss you, Martha, and always remember all of the laughs we had together. (Ms. Evelia Lopez)

I remember how Martha was always joking around and making fun of me and saying, “Cris! Que paso?” Her smile was always there… (Ms. Cristina Parsons)

Martha was full of life, and when she greeted me with a lilt in her voice, it made me smile and made my day that much better. One couldn’t help but like Martha and enjoy her company. I will always remember her as “a salt of the earth” type of person who was taken from us much too early. My tears flow as I write this, realizing that Martha is gone. (Mr. Saúl Ostroff)

I can remember going by Martha’s desk on a daily basis and saying “Wie geht’s” (“How are you?” in German), and after a while, I taught her to say “Sehr gut” (“Very good”), and she would always smile afterwards. (Respectfully, Mr. Pete Pederson)

Whenever I was stressed—really, really stressed, especially during newspaper layout session—I’d go to the attendance office, knowing that Martha gave the best massages in the world. I always felt rejuvenated afterwards! I used to joke around with her—that I’d marry her if she gave me a massage every day—that I would do all of the cooking and yard work if she would just massage me! I loved laughing with her. (Mr. Rana Medhi)

I am sorry to hear about the passing of one of our dear coworkers. Martha always had a helpful disposition and a smile on her face. She will be missed. (Ms. Alma R. Wilson)

Martha was helpful to me and my family. I often went out of my way to go see her in the office, especially in the summer when we weren’t busy. Martha’s kind heart and easy going manner always brightened up my day. I will miss her dearly. (Mr. Cristobal Santa Cruz)

Well, I met Marta in 1997 when I started as a counselor here at Pueblo. She was the receptionist in the counseling center. She knew everything that was going on and kept us in line—he he! She had a great heart and would always come to see me to let me know about any students who needed my help. Her daughter, Marlene, is the same age as my oldest daughter, and we talked often about our girls. She never forgot to ask me how my daughter Erin was through the years. I will miss her! (Ms. Debra Thompson)

Martha, I’ll remember our walks at the Santa Cruz, Zumba, and Fry’s Chicken. You were always greeting all that came to Pueblo with a smile. You will be missed. (“Juicy” Susie)

Compiled by Melody Inthyvong For El Guerrero

Bill De La Rosa Awarded Gates Millennium Scholarship

// May 2nd, 2012 // No Comments » // Academics, In The News, National Honor Society, Recognition, Scholarships, Student Awards, Student Recognition

Bill De La Rosa (Left) with Brandon Sanchez at NHS Induction Ceremony

Bill de la Rosa, class of 2012 Senior, is one of 1,000 talented students nationwide to receive the Gates Millennium scholarship in 2012. The scholarship provides full funding through graduate school.

“I see this like a once in a life time opportunity, knowing that I will be secure financially for the next four to eight years of college,” says de la Rosa. “The generosity of Bill and Melinda Gates is a gift from God to me that I will benefit from and be responsible for. I know that God has great plans for me and I will make sure to prepare myself to serve others through the degrees I will receive from my education.”

De la Rosa’s notification letter stated that his “accomplishment is especially notable in context of the more than 24,000 students who applied, making this year’s the largest and most competitive group of candidates in the program’s history.”

De la Rosa has been accepted to Bowdoin College, a nationally renowned college of liberal arts and sciences in Maine. After earning his bachelor’s degree, he plans to attend Harvard Law School, with the goal of using his law degree to assist families unable pay for legal representation.

Since his freshman year, de la Rosa has been one of the top five students in his class. He is currently valedictorian, with a 4.12 GPA. He’s achieved his academic success in spite of family hardship, providing care for his father and siblings during his father’s illness.

Pueblo High counselor Teresa Toro says that de la Rosa “has made being smart a ‘cool’ status on our campus. He is very popular among his peers and is highly regarded by his teachers. He is constantly talking to students about the need for them to do their best and be their best.”

Toro states, “I am beyond proud for Bill and his accomplishments. He is a true example that no matter what life throws at you that you cannot make excuses for not succeeding. He has such high standards, walks the talk, and is still so down to earth and loved and respected by all of his peers and faculty. I have such high regard for him that I asked him to be the peer mentor for my son, who is a current freshman at Pueblo Magnet High School. He is truly deserving of this most generous award by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.”

To complete the circle of giving, De la Rosa’s goals include establishing his own foundation to provide scholarships to future students.

More information about the scholarship is available at gmsp.org.

Courtesy of www.tusd1.org.

Dr. Andrew Lettes Wins National Biotechnology Award

// April 26th, 2012 // No Comments » // Academics, Biotechnology, Conferences, Recognition, Teacher Awards

Dr. Mayim Bialik & Dr. Andrew Lettes

Pueblo Magnet High School science teacher Dr. Andrew Lettes received the Ron Mardigian Memorial Biotechnology Explorer Award, as part of the National Science Teachers Association (NTSA) 2012 Teacher Awards Program.

Lettes has brought biotechnology into the classroom for over ten of his eighteen years as a teacher. When TUSD’s Career and Technical Education Program decided to offer a bioscience curriculum, Lettes was one of the first teachers onboard. At the time, he was teaching an AP Biology class but only six students were enrolled. He wanted to go beyond traditional topics to get more students engaged in science, particularly those students who might not see themselves as “scientists.”

“I noticed that the students who were enthusiastic about heart dissections were even more enthusiastic about DNA fingerprinting,” Lettes recalls. “Biotechnology jobs are on the rise in Tucson and I want to prepare my students for those jobs; so I developed a Biotechnology curriculum.”

The Biotechnology Explorer Award recognizes teachers who have made biotechnology learning accessible to students and Lettes’ curriculum has done just that. Pueblo serves a predominantly low-income Hispanic population – a population that is typically underrepresented in science, engineering, and technology fields.

“This program opens up doors to careers in science that students didn’t realize had been closed to them,” Lettes noted. “Students that were not interested in upper level science classes before are now lining up to take Biotechnology.”

There are currently 105 students enrolled in the program with 140 interested in enrolling next year.

Dr. Lettes’ former students have gone on to pursue degrees in neuroscience, molecular biology, and science education. Students who have gone on to pursue degrees in other areas have said that Lettes’ class provided them with a strong foundation for their college science course requirements, and for the overall expectation of college studies.

As the recipient of the Biotechnology Explorer Award, Lettes received a $250 monetary gift, a $500 certificate for Bio-Rad products for his classroom, and a trip to attend the NSTA National Conference on Science Education in Indianapolis last month. Interesting tidbit: While at the conference, Lettes had the opportunity, among other things, to meet and talk science with television actress Mayim Bialik of The Big Bang Theory, who holds a Ph.D. in neuroscience both on TV and in real life. Bialik and Lettes both received their doctorates from UCLA.

For more information on Career and Technical Education Programs offered in TUSD, visit the Career and Technical Education Program Web site.

Courtesy of TUSD1.org

2012 FBLA Regional Winners

// April 2nd, 2012 // No Comments » // Academics, CTE, Competition, Conferences, Region Awards, Student Awards, Winners

Pueblo FBLA Team 2012

FBLA sponsor Maria Bicknell reports that at the 2012 Future Business Leaders of America Regional Conference, Pueblo students came home with gold, silver, and bronze medals!

Ludwig Nunez & Andrea Bakos Receiving Medals

Ludwing Nunez: 1st place in Management Information Systems
Andrea Bakos: 2nd place in Management Information Systems

Carlos Meraz Receiving Medal

Carlos Meraz: 3rd place in Job Interview

Great job, Warriors!

Title-Hungry Warriors Feed Off Sotos’ Drive To Improve

// April 2nd, 2012 // No Comments » // Athletics, In The News, Pueblo High School

Lauro & Raul Soto

The personalities of brothers Lauro and Raul Soto couldn’t be more different. Lauro is quiet and reserved. Raul loves to talk and joke around.

One thing they do share, however, is their love of volleyball.

Their dedication to the game is a big reason why Pueblo is 8-3 and sitting in the top five of the Division I power rankings. The Warriors opened the season on a seven-game winning streak, giving the entire team hope that they could make a run at a state championship this year.

“It’s a good goal for them,” said Dan Chan, who has been Pueblo’s coach since 1997. “Any time a team has a goal like that to shoot for, it jells the group.”

As the team continues to push toward its goal, Lauro, a senior captain and outside hitter who leads his team in kills, knows he has to set the pace for his team.

Raul, a sophomore libero, takes a more verbal approach. He’s the one who keeps everyone loose during games.

Here are three ways the Soto brothers have taken their games to the next level.

Family time

Before Lauro was pushing Raul to work harder and get better, it was Lauro being pushed by the oldest Soto brother, Armando. He graduated from Pueblo in 2009.

Lauro got his first taste of Pueblo volleyball by watching Armando play. Practicing with his older brother gave Lauro the foundation he needed and some ideas about how to guide Raul when the time came.

Now any family gathering can turn into a game when the Soto brothers are around. Throw in their cousin Fidencio Armenta, who also played at Pueblo and graduated in 2008, and the competition level can get sky-high.

“We like to keep things competitive,” said Lauro, who had a 17-kill performance against Palo Verde and a double-double (12 kills and 10 digs) against Sahuaro. “Sometimes when we play with our family, we’ll start talking smack to each other. Raul talks more than I do but I try to get him back.”

Vertical gains

During the offseason Lauro wanted to work on his vertical leap. After looking on the Internet, he found Jumpsoles, a platform that weighs nearly 5 pounds and attaches to the shoe. It is used in training to focus on the calf muscles in order to add inches to an athlete’s vertical.

The Soto brothers added the Jumpsole workouts to their offseason regimen and saw results.

“Before I could barely touch the rim,” Lauro said of a 10-foot basketball hoop. “But now I can grab it and hang on it. And it’s helped with my power too. I feel like my striking has gotten better because I have more power in my legs.”

YouTubing the basics

When they’re not working out or practicing, the Sotos are watching videos on how to improve their game on the site that can teach a person just about anything: YouTube. Whether it’s videos about how to improve their techniques or different strategies, Lauro and Raul have found YouTube to be a helpful tool.

“We’ll look up videos on the basics and some of the more advanced things too,” said Raul, the team leader in digs. “We get a lot of good workout ideas and tips on how to improve our games just by watching YouTube.”

Read more. (azstarnet.com)

Pueblo Biotech Featured On NSTA

// March 16th, 2012 // No Comments » // Academics, Biotechnology, Pueblo High School, Pueblo Pride, Recognition, School Awards, Teacher Awards

Pueblo’s Biotechnology Program was featured on National Science Teacher Association’s website.

Here’s the excerpt:

Another awardee also has introduced innovations to the classroom. Andrew Lettes, a science teacher at Pueblo Magnet High School in Tucson, Arizona, received the Ron Mardigian Memorial Biotechnology Explorer Award, sponsored by Bio-Rad Laboratories, and says he has “worked for over 10 years to bring biotechnology into the classroom.” He points out that “students must be engaged with relevant ‘hands-on’ curriculum, but the trick is to find the ‘hook’ for our student population…At Pueblo, I found the ‘hook,’ biotechnology.” He says his school’s biotechnology program “provides college preparation for our students, plus provides genuine work-based learning. Students work in science, not simply read about it during a career search on the internet.”

According to Lettes, biotechnology “not only attracts the already college-bound students, but also those who are interested in work experience. Students who have mastered the content and students who have mastered the technical skills are equally valued in my classroom. This fosters a cooperative atmosphere where all students try to do well. Truly biotechnology is the rising tide that lifts all boats.” His award also provides funding to attend NSTA’s national conference. When asked about his agenda in Indianapolis, he replies, “I plan on enjoying the workshops given by my peers. Classroom teachers have a wonderful insight on what works. I also would like to network with other educators.”

Congratulations Dr. Andrew Lettes!  You represent Pueblo with Pride!

Read entire article.