Category: Around Campus

Who’s Your Crush This Valentine’s Day?

Complied by Emely Villanueva

February is the season of love, and in recent days, El Guerrero asked a few dozen individuals in the Pueblo High School community: Who is your special someone?

Jose Jovel, senior: “Sergio Guterriez Lopez”

Amy Aldama, sophomore: “Mathew Weisbroad”

Mathew Weisbroad, sophomore: “Amy Aldama”

Marisol Carino, senior: “Dylan Mendez”

Dylan Mendez, senior: “Marisol Carino”

Esmeralda Beltran, senior: “I have this crush on a mystery guy”

Fernanda Casillas, senior: “My crush is Miguel Placeres”

Miguel Placeres, senior: “Fernanda Casillas”

Mya Vaughn, senior: “My crush is Valentina Leal”

Valentina Leal, senior: “My crush is Mya Vaughn”

Tatei Lopez, senior: “Nebai Merino”

Alexia Merino, senior: “Juju Ballesteros”

Juju Ballesteros, senior: “Alexia Anari Merino”

Nebai Merino, senior: “Tatei Lopez”

Louisa Serrano, senior: “Ruben Olivares”

Edward Gámez, senor: “My girlfriend”

Gael Ochoa, senior: “My Girl”

Daniel Almeida, junior: “Cami”

Ruben Olivares, senior: “My girlfriend Louisa Serrano”

Brandon Gámez, freshman: “They don’t go here”

David Hernandez, senior: “I don’t have one”

Jr Rascón, freshman: “My girlfriend”

Ryan Rodriguez, junior: “My talking stage”

Nas Martinez, freshman: “Taylor Swift”

Javier Mancera, freshmen: “My girlfriend”

Gabriel Alvarez, sophomore: “My crush is Jojo”

Joel Moreno, senior: “Mario”

Daniella Ojeda, senior: “Frankie”

Malo Anaya, senior: “Dani Ojeda”

Oscar Miranda, junior: “I don’t have one”

Everd Ochoa, freshmen: “I don’t have one”

America Cazares, sophomore: “Shawty Pookie Pookie Bear”

Brianna Portillo, junior: “Pookie Shawty Bear”

Gaddiel “Vez” Chavez, junior: “Bri, Coach Jones and Coach Bullar”

Bobby Levas, junior: Coach Francisco and Ms. Rincon”

Preston Ames, junior: “Ms. Wallace”

Sergio Lopez, senior: “Tara Yummy”

Jonathan Redondo, senior: “My crush is my Girlfriend Xam”

Jessica Palomares, junior: “My boyfriend”

Sofia Larriban, sophomore: “No one”

Priscilla Borquez, senior: “My mommy”

Alexis Vargas, senior: “Jazlynne Fernandez”

Why Do We Love Arizona?

by Dulce Hernandez & Aileen Ortiz

If you’re not much into celebrating the highly commercialized and overrated Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14, perhaps you can show your love and appreciation for Arizona, which was admitted as the 48th state on Feb. 14, 1912.

President Howard Taft signed off on Arizona becoming a state. A month earlier, Arizona’s eastern neighbor, New Mexico, became a state, and at one time, both states were part of the New Mexico Territory.

A lot has changed in the past 112 years since Arizona became the last state in the “Lower 48”. Arizona’s population was just 220,000! Today, Arizona’s population is quickly approaching eight million, nearly 40 times more than in 1912. The population of Phoenix was just 30,000; today, the Phoenix metropolitan population is more than five million. Tucson’s population in 1912 was a mere 22,000; today, more than one million live in Tucson and its metro area.

Arizona’s population of 7.5 million makes The Grand Canyon State the 14th most populated state in America. Phoenix is now the fifth most populated city in the U.S.; Tucson is ranked 33rd in population among American cities. Many Phoenix suburbs are now ranked in the Top 100 U.S. cities, including Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, Tempe and Glendale.

But, for most Arizona lovers, it’s not necessarily the cities we love. Here are some comments from the Pueblo High School community:

Sophomore Desiree Noriega said, “I love the one-of-a-kind pink sunsets that we have in Arizona.”

Senior Shenail Arvicio said, “I love the weather.”

Assistant Principal Meg Tully said, “My favorite part of Arizona are the orange sunsets.”

Assistant Principal Ms. Jeniffer Mayerson said, “My favorite thing of Arizona is the long seasons of warm weather.”

Journalism teacher Mr. Rana Medhi said, “Despite Arizona having probably the worst drivers and people with the lowest IQs of anybody in the country, I love the smell of the desert after a rain and rainbows stretching across mountain ranges.”

Junior Yoseline Otakara said, “My favorite part of Arizona is Sedona.”

Junior Emily Flores said, “I love the sky and sunsets.”

Sophomore Kiara Aguilar said, “I love going to the Grand Canyon.”

Angie Valdez said, “I like the mountains.”

Freshman Francisco Ortiz said, “My favorite part of Arizona is the weather.”

Sophomore America Cazares said, “My favorite part of Arizona is the bipolar weather.”

Freshman Priscilla Bella said, “My favorite part of Arizona are the cacti.”

Freshman Ulises Federico said, “My favorite part of Arizona is Phoenix.”

Monitor Josiah Lopez said, “My favorite part of Arizona are the outstanding sceneries.”

Sophomore Dario Felix said, “My favorite part of Arizona is the rain.”

Junior Beatriz Villalba said, “My favorite part of Arizona is the nature.”

Junior Precious Riley said, “I love the sunsets and sunrises.”

Junior Alicia Santa Cruz said, “My favorite part of Arizona is Sedona.”

Journalism guest Ms. Bianca Morales said, “My favorite place in Arizona would be Bisbee, and I love the natural resources Arizona has.”

Senior Jose Jovel, “I really like the scenery and the open roads.”

Junior Alexandra Garcia said, “I love the desert in Arizona.”

Junior Emely Blanchet said, “I love going to the Grand Canyon because it brings me peace.”

Freshman Randy Gallegos said, “Arizona’s climate is perfect to go off roading!”

Who Do You Love Most?, 2024 Edition

by Alyvette Moreno & Kassandra Espinoza

Each February, El Guerrero journalists ask random students/ faculty and staff members to answer the question: “Who do you love the most?” Here is a compilation of responses for 2024:

Sergio Lopez (senior): “Food.”

Jet Fausto (junior): “Myself.”

Marianna Molina (senior): “My mommy.”

Ms. Jeniffer Mayersohn (Assistant Principal): “My baby girl.”

Ms. Karla Martinez (Assistant Principal): “My husband and three kids.”

Nebai Merino (Senior): “My cat.”

Edward Gomez (senior): “My mother”

Kinora Wilson (junior): “My brother.”

Ms. Sarah Sutton (Theater teacher): “Myself, I go first before everyone else.”

Mr. William Hill (English teacher): “My spouse Debbie.”

Ms. Marsha-Jean Burrola (PHS librarian): “Bella (my dog) and my parents.”

Juju Ballesteros (senior): “My girlfriend.”

David Alvarez (freshman): “My dog.”

Natalia Ochoa (senior): “My sister.”

Louisa Serran (senior): “My cat.” Cristian Tellez (senior): “Me, Myself and I.”

Emily Villanueva (senior): “My friends and Mommy.”

Jose Jovel (senior): “My best friend, Serigo Lopez.”

Jonathan Redondo (senior): “My Mommy.”

Klarissa Lopez (senior): “My best friend and boyfriend.”

Daniel Almeiva (senior): “My parents.”

Bianca Inzuza (senior): “My older sister and myself.”

Estevon Osuna (senior): “My dog.”

Isai Soto (senior): “My mom.”

Mr. Josiah Lopez (monitor): “Myself.”

Mr. Esteban Manriquez (Algebra teacher): “My family and my best friend Diego.”

Ms. Martha Avila-Miranda (geometry teacher): “Jesus Christ and my family.”

Andres Gaspar (senior): “The boys.”

Alex Arguelles (senior): “My girlfriend.”

Diego Montijo (junior): “My cat, Cosmo.”

Xavier Valenzuela (senior): “God.

Pueblo Community Makes New Year’s Resolutions For 2024

Compiled by Alyvette Moreno & Jenna Twaje

The New Year is upon us, as is the Chinese New Year (the Year of the Dragon!) on Feb. 10. There’s a lot to look forward to in ’24 including a Leap Year Day (Feb. 29), presidential primaries and the big election in November, the Summer Olympics and of course graduation day on May 23.

Every year, the Pueblo Community makes resolutions to better their lives. Here is a compilation of some of them:

Edward Gomez (senior): “I hope to commit to a sturdy career plan after high school.”

Alexis Campbell (counselor): “To exercise and spend more time with family.”

Dominic Arambula (freshman): “To lose more weight.”

Jose Alvarez (counselor): “Go camping once and return to hiking frequently.”

Cristain Portillo (senior): “To graduate this May!”

Nebai Merino (senior): “Invest in myself and my future.”

Tati Lopez (senior): “Be open to everything.”

Annluise Santos (senior): “Put myself first.”

Ms. Karla Martinez (Assistant Principal): “To say ‘I love you’ and ‘Thank you’ more often.”

Ms. Jeniffer Mayersohn (Assistant Principal): “To be a better person.”

Jasel Siliva (senior): “To draw more.”

Ruby Avyote (freshmen): “To not have too many absences.”

Mr. Simon Arrola (PHS Dean): “To make sure all my family members are safe and happy.”

Mr. Toby Manthai (social worker): “Spend less money and save more.”

Ricardo Alvarez (senior): “To learn more music theory.”

Ruben Arambula (junior): “To try harder in school.”

Mr. Rana Medhi (journalism teacher): “To commit to retirement—and to mean it this time!”

Kimora Wilson (junior): “I want to eat healthier.”

Adriell Salazar (sophomore): “To focus on my classes.”

Leodardo Santa Maria (junior): “To go to the gym more.”

Dr. Rosaria Hutchings: “Exercise more.”

Baiza Medeina (junior): “To work on myself.”

Juliana Baeverien (junior): “To better my health and myself.”

Mr. William Hill (English teacher): “To get more physically fit.”

Juju Ballesteros (senior): “To earn more money.”

Rodrigo Arcocha (freshman): “To earn straight A’s.”

Miriam Rivera (senior): “To actually show up to school every day.”

Andrew Chagolla (senior): “I want to try to enjoy life more.”

Giancarlo Jaimes (sophomore): “To earn better grades than last year.”

Thomas Almeida (junior): “To get my money up.”

Ylisses Ortega (freshman): “To stop saying the ‘N’ word.”

Lourdes Mendez (senior): “To save up money for a car.”

Ms. Marsha-Jean Burrola (PHS librarian): “To throw away extra items that I don’t need.”

‘Time To Start Fresh’

(Campus Monitor Receives Home Through HFH)

By Aubrey Medina & Rihana Medrano-Thompson

Campus Monitor Ms. Crystal Alvarado and her two sons moved into their new home during the holiday season, courtesy of Habitat for Humanity.

Alvarado, who joined Pueblo’s security team last February, remained patient throughout the long process of qualifying for a new home.

“Once I was accepted [just nine out of 300 applicants], I actually worked 250 hours with the construction of the home,” Alvarado said. “My sons [Jacob and Estevan—a sophomore at Pueblo] weren’t eligible to help because they’re both younger than 16. They weren’t even allowed on the construction site.”

After all the sweat and body aches, Alvarado said the effort was “beyond worthwhile”.

“I have a home near Sentinel Peak [‘A’ Mountain] with a gorgeous view of the city,” she said. “Christmas this year was a little different—as we were moving and settling in.”

Alvarado finished her application to the Habitat for Humanity program a year ago, and “graduated” in July 2023 after meeting numerous qualifications. She found time on weekends and weekday evenings to meet the mandatory 250 hours of labor.

“There were a lot of times I just wanted to give up,” Alvarado said. “I didn’t, though. Working on the construction of my own home ended up being an accomplishment I’ll never regret.”

One of the many benefits of being a HFH recipient is not paying interest on a mortgage payment, saving the family tens of thousands of dollars over the life of the mortgage.

The Alvarado’s said they plan to start off “fresh”—no old furniture, dishes, and other household items.

“We are starting off with just our clothes, a few television sets and my sons’ game consoles,” Alvarado said.

[Habitat for Humanity, founded in 1976 by married couple Millard and Linda Fuller, is a partnership, not a giveaway program. Habitat’s homeowner families buy the houses that Habitat builds and renovates. Habitat homeowners also invest hundreds of hours of their own labor working alongside volunteers. As a result, Habitat for Humanity houses are affordable to low-income families around the world. The organization operates with financial support from national governments, philanthropic foundations, corporations and mass media companies. foundations.

Habitat directly helps more than four million people each year secure decent, affordable housing, and an additional eight million people now have the potential to improve their housing conditions through a range of indirect services. Our annual report provides full details.

Habitat for Humanity continues to build and renovate decent, affordable housing in all 50 U.S. states and more than 70 other countries.]

Pueblo’s Christmas 2023 Wishlist

Compiled by Ariana Garcia and Leia Ortega

Each holiday season, El Guerrero journalists ask random students/faculty and staff to answer the question: What do you want for Christmas this year? Here is the list for Christmas ’23:

Ana Cubillas, senior: “I want a car to drive every day.”

Manny Rivera, senior: “I would love a Spider Man 2 and GTA 6.”

Fabian Lopez, senior: “All I want for Christmas are my two front teeth.”

Israel Valencia, junior: “I really would like to have 3Ds with Pokemon X.”

Marc Anthony Escobedo, senior: “Love to have some Chick-Fil-A and straight A’s.”

Kendahl McCarthy, sophomore: “Some new sewing needles would be great!”

Jorge Parra, junior: “I’d love a huge hug.”

Mouse Saenz, sophomore: “I’d love to have some crochet yarn and maybe some different sized hooks.”

Marsha Jean Burrola, PHS librarian: “I would love to have those two scratches on my car to be fixed.”

Prisilla Garcia, senior: “I’d love to live in a mansion.”

Jorge Ramirez, senior: “A partridge in a pear tree.”

Azul Frias, sophomore: “I’d love to have some ‘Hello Kitty’ pajama pants.”

Antonia Calvillo, senior: “I want a blanket that can cover seven people.”

Bryan Melendez, junior: “I want a new jacket and socks.”

Mr. Rana Medhi, journalism teacher: “I want Santa Claus to shave his beard; hairy people scary me.”

Brisa Bautista, senior: “I want a hippopotamus.”

Josette Moreno, freshman: “I really want some Lego flowers or gift cards.”

Francesca Duran, senior: “For Christmas, I really want a stuffed black bear.”

Ms. Gonzalez, teacher: “I’d like any gift my partner gives me because they are always super thoughtful.”

Linkon Carillo, sophomore: “I’d love to have ‘Zelda, Tears of the Kingdom’.”

Dylan Mendez, senior: “I want a 10-piece McNuggets meal!”

Kaz Detwiler, sophomore: “I really need a new sketchbook and new art supplies.”

Daisy Talavera: “Money, clothes, a Stanley cup and a new iphone case.”

Adelina Grijalva: “I’d love to have some Legos and new airpods.”

Jazlynne Fernandez: “Levi jean—specifically 501’s—would be awesome!”

Oscar Miranda: “I’d really like to see our JV basketball team to win a game.”

Paola Salazar: “I want a Kevin Alvarez jersey.”

Frida Bustamante: “For Christmas, I’d like to have some new makeup, books and shoes.”

Xristan Berry: “I want LED light strips.”

Desiree Noriega, sophomore: “I want a new Ariat jacket.”

Gaddiel “Vez” Chavez: “I’d love some Nike red championship ‘Dunks’.”