Seniors, Good Luck On The ACT!

Felicity Aguilar El Guerrero Pueblo 2015

By Felicity Aguilar

This is that time of the year that many seniors start to realize that graduation is only seven months away, and with a new quarter underway, it’s time to start swallowing that reality pill. Many seniors are preparing and planning for a collegiate future, but to do this, they will first have to take the ACT.

Students must achieve a score of 22-36 on the ACT to receive a scholarship in and/or out of state.

TUSD pays for all juniors to take the ACT in April, and there are opportunities to take the ACT retakes throughout the school year. A student has numerous opportunities to obtain their desired score.

“You’re ignorant for not being serious about the test, because even I wasn’t, now I know how important that test was and how it could’ve helped me,” said senior Alejandro Arguellez.

Arguellez came to Pueblo to follow his dream: to play basketball. He has dreams of playing for UCLA and joining the NBA. However, he will first need to take the ACT, which he plans to do tomorrow, Oct. 24.

“I knew that I needed to prepare for the test because I learned a long time ago that not preparing is preparing for failure,” Arguellez said.

Another senior, Kia Guedes, has been studying for the ACT, which she will also take this Saturday, October 24. She plans to score high because she has prepared for this test. For the remainder of this school year, she will maintain her high GPA and continue to work diligently to earn a scholarship to the University of Arizona.

Pueblo Sal Varela Kia Guedes ACT Testing Preparation
Sal Varela and Kia Guedes prepare for ACT Test

 

“I’m not nervous,” Guedes said. “I’ve taken the pre-ACT, and I’ve been preparing for the real test since the first day of this school year.” She paused and added, “I think that three months of preparing for the ACT is more than enough time. I just need to go in tomorrow and take this test seriously opposed to junior year when I first took it.”

Salvador Varela, a senior who will be graduating with the Class of 2016, is also planning to take the ACT this Saturday. Varela has been preparing since the beginning of the summer and admits that he is a little nervous. His plans are to attend Pima Community College; he then plans to transfer to the U of A.

“I feel pretty confident about this test, because a lot is expected,” said Varela. “It’s nice to know that I can retake this test if I bomb it tomorrow, but I’m feeling fairly confident about this test.”

For more information on taking the ACT, students can see Mr. Ruben Romero in the College and Career Center; you can email him ruben.romero@tusd1.org or contact him at (520) 225-4542.

Cyber Cafe To Host Tutoring Services


Avae Velasquez El Guerrero Pueblo

By Avae Velasquez

The newly renovated Cyber Café will be the location of tutoring services that began on Oct. 1. The café is located in Room 173.

The Cyber Café will be open for tutoring every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and occasionally Wednesdays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

-> Click here to download all Tutoring Opportunities offered at Pueblo.

Pueblo Cyber Cafe Tutoring Mr Lopez
Mr. Steve Lopez tutors a student in math

Dr. Maria Bicknell, Pueblo’s marketing teacher and CTE coordinator, said, “Every subject will be tutored because our teachers are so talented.”

Bicknell said that the teachers volunteering for tutoring include, Mr. Steve Lopez, Ms. Rhesa Olsen, Ms. Rhonda Alexander and Ms. Pamela Shapiro. Bicknell said that she, too, will be a tutor, and she and the other teachers will be helping students with a variety of subjects.

Bicknell coordinated the efforts for all of this tutoring to be possible—by applying for the $10,000 Heritage Grant from the Tucson Federal Credit Union. This grant money will be used to pay teachers for their tutoring services.

Pueblo’s Magnet Status: To Be or Not to Be?

Sandra Iniguez El Guerrero Pueblo 2015

 

By Sandra Iniguez

 

On Monday, Sept. 28, a Town Hall meeting was held in Pueblo’s library in order to inform our community of the decisions being made regarding our school’s magnet status.

 

District officials were present, including TUSD Superintendent Dr. H. T. Sanchez, as well as a dozen Pueblo students, mostly from media classes, as well as several Pueblo teachers.

 

Pueblo Principal Augustine Romero Magnet Meeting
Dr. Augustine Romero explains the Magnet Program situation.

Dr. Augustine Romero, Pueblo’s principal, began this meeting by giving a brief history of Pueblo’s magnet status, which began back in 1992. The focus of this magnet school back then—as it is now—communications. The effort to transition to a magnet school was challenging, despite the effort to attract students from other regions of Tucson to make our student population more racially diverse.

 

Fast forward to 2015…

 

“Equality in our schools only shows what everyone deserves, but equity is what we need in this case,” said Dr. Romero. “The diversity of our student enrollment should not be a determining factor when they have [shown a considerable rise in academic success].”

 

This year, however, Pueblo was on the verge of having its magnet status removed, but our Native American student population helped meet the integration goal. Pueblo has become restless because of this standing question: What would happen if we lost our magnet status?

 

“We are already under-funded as it is,” added Romero. 

 

The removal of Pueblo’s magnet status would result in the loss of about $538,000 of funds. This being the money that pays for teachers, student field trips, additional staff, and programs. These magnet funds are generated through local taxes. 

 

“The reduction in funding would be detrimental to Pueblo,” said TUSD Superintendent H.T. Sanchez.

 

Sanchez added, “If you pay rent or mortgage you are [helping fund Pueblo], and these are local dollars.”

 

TUSD Superintendent HT Sanchez Magnet Meeting
TUSD Superintendent Dr. HT Sanchez answered many questions regarding future of Magnet Program.

Although Pueblo is gradually achieving racial integration, students must accomplish higher academic levels in order to improve our chances of keeping our magnet status.

 

“Higher grades, AP class enrollments, more scholarships, acceptance to institutions of higher learning, and higher scores on semester exams will help to support our efforts of keeping Pueblo’s magnet status,” explained Sanchez.

 

Romero echoed the same response.

 

Dr. Willis Hawley appointed by federal court judge Bury, referred to as the ‘Special Master’, who originally placed Pueblo on a list of schools to lose their magnet status has since removed us. However, our magnet status remains endangered and Dr. Hawley will return in about a year to raise the question once again. 

 

“Lots of advisement is taken into account when making a decision regarding a school’s magnet status, including the community’s and ex-administrators’ opinions,” said Sanchez. “But ultimately the ‘Special Master’ gives his own recommendation.”

 

“People just want to be a part of something positive, it’s going to be harder to achieve racial diversity with a lack of something positive [our magnet status] benefitting our school,” said Romero. 

 

Pueblo’s magnet coordinator Ms. Laura Gallego, said that if Pueblo were to lose its magnet status, it would result in more students in classrooms because there would be fewer teachers because there are several who are paid out of the magnet money budget.

 

“It worries me [losing Pueblo’s magnet status] because the communications program is what makes Pueblo unique,” said Skyblue Estrella, a senior at Pueblo, who attended this meeting. “If Pueblo loses its magnet status, we will not only lose what makes it special, but also a part of our community that we students hold dear [teachers and students].”

 

English teacher Ms. Constance Onsae said, “I think the parent meeting went well. A lot of information was shared about the current magnet status [dilemma] and how parents can work to get around the process and obtain the magnet money Pueblo deserves, even in our current financial state.”

 

She paused and added, “I do believe that Dr. Sanchez seems to be doing all he can to help the Pueblo magnet status.”

 

Pueblo will remain on the “Endangered” list regarding its magnet status, and in one year, the issue will be discussed once again. In essence, Pueblo’s magnet status is “safe” for now, but the evaluation process will resume next year to discuss the fate of the school’s magnet status for the 2017-18 school year.

 

 “I am hopeful that we will retain our magnet status after next year and years thereafter,” said Dr. Romero. “The criteria has been established for us and we must continue down a path towards greater integration and elevation of our levels of academic achievement.”

Homecoming 2015: You Should Have Been There (If You Weren’t)

America Cardenas Pueblo El Guerrero Sandra Iniguez El Guerrero Pueblo 2015

 

 

By América Cárdenas and Sandra Iniguez

Anticipation, excitement and school pride filled the halls of Pueblo during Spirit Week, which began on Monday, September 21—and progressed to Pueblo’s homecoming night on Friday, September 25.

Our mighty Warriors showed their Pueblo Pride in the wide-spread participation of spirit week festivities. These included Slumber Party Day, Dynamic Duo Day, Disney Day, Tropical Day, and Straight Outta Pueblo Day. Throughout this week, there were many games during lunch in which each class was given the opportunity to gain spirit points.

Our school’s pride continued in the Lever Gym for the first spirit assembly of the year.

“The assembly was great, all four of the classes really brought their school spirit,” said senior Kevin Valdez.

After extensive recognition of clubs and academic success around campus, the winners of the spirit assembly were determined. The seniors seized the victory.

“The assembly was different from the others because everyone actually participated,” said senior Candelaria Guerrero. “Even the freshmen were trying to win.”

Pueblo High School Homecoming Night 2015 Cheer
Warrior Cheer getting the crowd going.

The day came to a beautiful end as the homecoming game approached. Clubs lined up with different items to sell in order to raise money at our annual Homecoming Tailgate Party. The bleachers filled up with anxious spectators who waited for the football game to begin.

Pueblo Magnet High School hosted its jubilant 60th Anniversary of its homecoming football game on Friday, September  25, 2015. The Warrior football team’s homecoming victory over the Douglas Bulldogs, with a final score of 48-0, was perhaps the team’s most dramatic win on homecoming night in many years.

Pueblo High School Homecoming Night 2015 Football
Warrior Football dominated the entire game.

The Warriors dominated the football game throughout the evening and refused to let the Bulldogs score even once! Pueblo’s very own senior Justin Pledger received Jack in the Box Player of the Week for KVOA Channel 4.

“We played more as a team against Douglas, and we are coming together as a family,” Pledger said. “I feel like I’m contributing to the team and doing my best to take us to the playoffs.”

There were plenty of homecoming tailgate activities that Pueblo clubs offered. There was a variety of food choices and games throughout the night from which students and alumni could choose.

Pueblo High School Homecoming Night 2015 Band
Warrior Marching Band entertained throughout the night.

“Homecoming was a major success!” exclaimed senior Bernadette Romero, “It was super fun to raise money for our clubs, and it was great to see our football team experience such a victorious win!”

During halftime of the football game, our fall 2015 homecoming king and queen of Pueblo Magnet High School were crowned: Emmanuel Buelna and Daniella Contreras.

Pueblo High School Homecoming Night 2015 Royalty
2015 King & Queen

Homecoming King Emmanuel Buelna said, “I’m humbled by the votes that I received from my fellow peers in my senior class. I was genuinely surprised that I was crowned king!”

Homecoming Queen Daniella Contreras said, “I was shocked that I won! This was the first time that I did something out of character. I’m shy, and I broke out of my shell during campaign week.” She added, “I usually stay away from big crowds, but this experience allowed me to gain a lot of new friends.”

We can’t wait for Homecoming Night 2016!

Warriors Urged To Attend Town Hall Meeting

America Cardenas Pueblo El Guerrero 

By América Cárdenas

 

Students, teachers and parents are urged to attend a Town Hall meeting regarding the future of CTE programs on the evening of Wednesday, October 21 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Catalina High School auditorium.

Pueblo CTE Auto Program
Auto Program at Pueblo would be affected by budget cuts.

This meeting will discuss the recent funding cuts approved by the Governor’s Office for the 2016-2017 school year and how this will negatively affect Career and Technical Education programs throughout the state.

 

State senators Steve Farley and David Bradley will be present to discuss how the cuts will affect school districts, including Pueblo Magnet High School.

 

Please plan to attend this meeting. Your voice and opinions will definitely count.

Youth On Their Own Shelters Warriors

Sandra Iniguez El Guerrero Pueblo 2015

By Sandra Iniguez

Yoto LogoYOTO, also known as Youth On Their Own, was established in 1986 by Ann Young at Amphitheater High School in hopes of helping homeless teens. This program was made possible with the help of local churches, local foundations and many concerned citizens in Pima County.

Today, YOTO continues to help financially unstable students who are invested in academics. Pueblo’s Learning Support Coordinator, Ms. Veronica Vironet, who has worked with YOTO for three years described the way the program has grown throughout the years.

“Today we are doing a better job of promoting the program and giving more recognition to its purpose and what it does to help students,” said Vironet.

Veronica Vironet - Learning Support Coordinator
Veronica Vironet – Learning Support Coordinator

Due to higher recognition, the program has increased in student numbers in recent years.

“This year alone [2015] there are already 22 students in the YOTO program,” said Vironet, “and applications are still coming in.”

She added that the program provides financial aid to the students who are enrolled at Pueblo. This includes a stipend for satisfactory grades [A’s and B’s] and regular daily attendance.

This stipend helps students with the money they require for paying bills and/or sports or club enrollment. Besides providing financial assistance, YOTO also offers a food pantry and access to a clothing bank.

“The only requirement that students need to verify to be in this program is to prove that they are living away from their parents through no fault of their own,” Vironet said.

She said that her door is always open in the main office and that she will walk students through the process of applying for YOTO, which is now exclusively completed on-line. (www.yoto.org)